Old St. Charles Bridge

The Old St. Charles Bridge was a steel structure spanning approximately 2,873 feet across the Missouri River using four large truss spans and approach sections. The bridge measured 20 feet wide and carried both automobile traffic and electric streetcar lines.

The bridge opened in 1904 and initially operated as a toll crossing connecting the two areas. It remained an important crossing over the Missouri River for nearly a century until its removal.

The bridge served as a central meeting point for residents and visitors, shaping how the community developed and grew over the decades. It became woven into local identity and the way people moved through their daily lives.

The bridge was designed to handle different types of traffic, though its narrow width meant traffic flow was limited. Visitors should know that this crossing no longer exists and is now preserved only in historical records.

The structure was designed by engineer John Alexander Low Waddell, known for creating innovative bridge designs of his time. It held the distinction of being one of the oldest Missouri River crossings in the region for many decades.

Location: Missouri

Official opening: 1904

GPS coordinates: 38.78330,-90.47670

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:04