Red Covered Bridge, Covered bridge in Dover Township, Illinois
The Red Covered Bridge is a wooden structure that crosses Big Bureau Creek using traditional timber truss construction, with protective red-painted exterior walls extending about 150 feet. It remains open to vehicle traffic and continues to serve as a functional road crossing.
The bridge was built in the middle of the 19th century as a vital connection for transporting goods and people in the region. It has survived through the decades and remains in use today.
The bridge has served as a meeting point for the local community for generations. People still cross it regularly, making it part of the daily rhythm of the area.
The bridge is easy to reach from Princeton via a local road and has security cameras in place for safety. The road is narrow and can be quieter during certain times of day.
This bridge is among only a handful of remaining wooden covered bridges still in active use in the state and carries hundreds of vehicles each day. It stands as a rare example of a historic structure that has not been converted into a museum or pedestrian-only crossing.
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