Thebes Bridge

The Thebes Bridge is a rail bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. It features five large steel truss spans designed to carry heavy rail traffic across the water.

The bridge opened in 1905 as a major engineering achievement of its era. Its construction marked an important step forward in how railroads could span large rivers with steel structures.

The bridge represents a key moment when rail transport connected distant regions and shaped how goods and people moved across the country. Walking across it today, you can sense how vital this connection became for industrial growth in the region.

The best views come from the nearby roadside overlooks that face the bridge directly. Visiting during daylight hours lets you see the steel structure and passing trains clearly.

The bridge piers are faced with Indiana limestone that was specially treated to look like natural rock. This stone cladding gives the bridge a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from typical industrial steel structures.

Location: Illinois

Official opening: April 18, 1905

Part of: railway bridge

GPS coordinates: 37.21670,-89.46690

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06