Thompson Mill Covered Bridge

Thompson Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge which crosses the Kaskaskia River 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Cowden, Illinois. The 160-foot-4-inch (48.87 m) Howe truss bridge is only 10 feet 7 inches (3.23 m) wide, making it the narrowest covered bridge in Illinois. The bridge was constructed in 1868; it was built in Michigan, shipped to Shelbyville, and hauled to the river crossing by horse-drawn wagons. The road the bridge carried was an important transportation corridor connecting Springfield, Taylorville, and Effingham. The bridge also provided area residents access to the Thompson Mill, a corn mill and sawmill which operated from 1843 to 1914.[2]

Thompson Mill Covered Bridge
Thompson Mill Covered Bridge is located in Illinois
Thompson Mill Covered Bridge
Thompson Mill Covered Bridge is located in the United States
Thompson Mill Covered Bridge
Nearest cityCowden, Illinois
Coordinates39°15′30″N 88°49′5″W / 39.25833°N 88.81806°W / 39.25833; -88.81806
Area0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built1868 (1868)
NRHP reference No.75000675[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 13, 1975

The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 1975.[1] It is now one of only five historic covered bridges remaining in Illinois. The bridge has been closed to automobile traffic but remains open to pedestrians.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Mulgrew, John C. (September 18, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Thompson Mill Covered Bridge" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "Thompson Mill Covered Bridge". Robin Hood Woods Campground & Resort. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
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