Chain of Rocks Bridge
Where History Takes a Dramatic Turn Across the Mississippi
Straddling the Mississippi River, just north of St. Louis, Missouri, you’ll find the Chain of Rocks Bridge. This iconic Route 66 bridge has transformed from a vital automotive crossing to one of America's most beloved pedestrian walkways, proving that sometimes the most remarkable journeys come from taking an unexpected turn.
A Bridge Born from Necessity and Challenge
The year was 1927 when the Chain-of-Rocks and Kingshighway Bridge Company first envisioned a straight, 40-foot wide roadway with five trusses forming 10 spans to reach across the mighty Mississippi. What they couldn't have anticipated was how the river itself would reshape their dreams, creating one of the most distinctive bridges in American history.
The Chain of Rocks Bridge was privately built as a toll bridge in 1929 at a cost of $3 million, but not without drama. The project faced immediate opposition from Mississippi River boatmen who protested the planned bridge because it was to run near two water intake towers for the Chain of Rocks pumping station. These mariners argued that navigating between bridge piers and the ornate castle-like water towers would create incredible hazards for commercial shipping.
Mother Nature had her own concerns. Engineers discovered that the initial straight line would have put the bridge over a section of the river where the bedrock was insufficient to support the weight of the piers. The solution? A 22-degree bend occurring at the middle of the crossing, which was found to be necessary during construction due to both the presence of a water intake and the inability of parts of the bedrock of the river to carry the weight of the bridge.
This engineering adaptation would become the bridge's calling card, though it came at a steep price. The project's budget ballooned from the projected $1.25 million to just over $2.5 million, close to $30 million in today's money.
From Engineering Marvel to Route 66 Legend
When the Chain of Rocks Bridge finally opened in July 1929, it was nothing short of spectacular. The bridge had beautifully landscaped approaches. A park-like setting around a pool and a large, ornate toll booth anchored the Missouri end. On the Illinois side, 400 elm trees lined the approach. The Missouri approach led travelers through the Chain of Rocks amusement park, creating a carnival atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of America's emerging car culture.
In the late 1930s, Bypass US 66 was designated over this bridge and around the northern and western parts of St. Louis to avoid the downtown area, cementing its place in Route 66 lore. For nearly three decades, this bridge served as a crucial link in America's "Mother Road," welcoming thousands of travelers seeking adventure and opportunity in the American West.
The famous bend that had caused so much construction headache became part of the bridge's charm—and its challenge. At only 24 feet wide, the tight curve proved treacherous for automobiles, especially as cars grew larger and traffic increased through the 1950s and 60s.
The Dark Years and Unlikely Salvation
By 1967, progress caught up with the old bridge. The New Chain of Rocks Bridge carrying Interstate 270 opened just 2,000 feet upstream of the old bridge, which closed in 1968. What followed were nearly three decades where the fate of the bridge was uncertain, though demolition seemed its most likely end.
During these forgotten years, the abandoned structure gained a darker reputation. The bridge developed a reputation for crime and violence. The deteriorating bridge seemed destined for the scrap yard, and in 1975, demolition seemed imminent.
Ironically, economics saved the day. The value of scrap steel plummeted, making demolition no longer profitable. The bridge entered what one might call "bridge limbo"—too expensive to tear down, too outdated for modern vehicles.
Even Hollywood took notice of the bridge's gritty, post-apocalyptic appearance. It was used as a filming site for Escape from New York in 1981, with the bridge being used as a stand in for the "69th Street Bridge".
A Phoenix Rises: Rebirth as America's Longest Pedestrian Bridge
The 1990s brought new hope as trail enthusiasts and preservationists recognized the bridge's potential. In 1998, the bridge was leased to Trailnet, a local trails group, to operate. Four-and-a-half million dollars have been spent on renovating the bridge for pedestrian and cycling use.
On June 19, 1999, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge reopened to the public, and by 2006 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, that famous 22-degree bend that once frustrated drivers has become a delightful surprise for walkers and cyclists, offering stunning views of the Mississippi River and St. Louis skyline.
The transformation has been remarkable. Linked to more than 300 miles of trails on both sides of the river, the old Chain of Rocks Bridge reopened to the public as part of the Route 66 Bikeway in 1999. The bridge now serves as the northern point of the Mississippi Greenway, connecting adventurers to a vast network of recreational trails.
The Name Behind the Legend
The bridge's evocative name comes from a natural phenomenon that once made this stretch of the Mississippi River notorious among rivermen. The bridge's name comes from a large shoal, or rocky rapids, called the Chain of Rocks, which made that stretch of the Mississippi extremely dangerous to navigate. This 17-mile series of rock ledges that began just north of St. Louis was extremely difficult and dangerous to navigate.
Today, because of a low-water dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, little of the Chain of Rocks is visible except during extreme low water conditions. The dangerous rapids that gave the bridge its name have been tamed, but their legacy lives on in this architectural treasure.
A Modern Renaissance
Recent years have brought renewed investment in this historic landmark. In August 2021 the National Park Service announced the award of a $990,000 grant to Great Rivers Greenway to help develop and enhance the visitor area on the Missouri side of the bridge. The nearly $5 million project will upgrade parking and security, restore natural habitats, and add nature trails and amenities for visitors.
Today's Chain of Rocks Bridge offers visitors a unique blend of history, engineering marvel, and natural beauty. The mile-long pedestrian and bicycle crossing provides spectacular views of the Mississippi River, St. Louis skyline, and the distinctive water intake towers that helped shape the bridge's destiny. The famous bend that once challenged drivers now offers photographers and sightseers one of the most distinctive viewpoints along the entire Mississippi River.
Whether you're a Route 66 enthusiast, history buff, or simply someone who appreciates extraordinary engineering, the Chain of Rocks Bridge stands as a testament to American ingenuity and the power of preservation. The bridge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, welcoming visitors to experience firsthand this remarkable piece of American infrastructure that refused to fade into history.