Illinois Central Stone Arch Railroad Bridges, Stone railway bridges in Dixon, Illinois.
The Illinois Central Stone Arch Railroad Bridges are three limestone structures that once carried trains across different locations in Dixon with varying arch designs. Each bridge features sturdy stone vaults built to support heavy railway traffic over uneven terrain.
These bridges were built between 1852 and 1855 as part of the Illinois Central Railroad's first lines through the state. They were essential structures that linked Dixon to larger cities and launched the era of rail transport in the region.
The local community described the first train crossing these bridges as a massive chariot of fire, marking a new era of transportation in Dixon.
The bridges are visible from West Seventh Street, where they sit along an embankment leading toward the Rock River. You can view the stone structure from several angles along the street without needing special access.
The limestone came from quarries upstream on the Rock River, giving these bridges a distinct local material character. Since their completion, the structures have undergone remarkably few changes and retain their original construction methods.
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