Photo Of The Day – 03/31/09
March 31, 2009
“Lift Bridge”
This lift bridge along the Hennepin Canal in rural Illinois was erected in 1909 and provided farmers access to their land. A wheel in the center of the bridge was turned to bring the large weights down, which caused the chains to lift the bridge, thus allowing ample room for canal boats to pass.
The Hennepin Canal was built to provide boats access from the Illinois River to the Rock River and onto the Mississippi River. The canal was closed in 1951.
Now how cool was this? I got to be a photographer AND a historian all in the same post.
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18 Comments
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That is a cool Bridge and I appreciate the History.
It is a pretty cool bridge. There aren’t many around like this anymore.
Your welcome Starla!
Fab photo! Love it!
Thank you S. Le!!
I GOT THIS ONE…
it’s a scary ride at an amusement park!
ROFLMAO!! Good guess but no, it’s not a ride at an amusement park. LOL
I love old things like this. So it’s still a bridge, it just doesn’t “turn?” Very neat.
Actually, a lift bridge doesn’t turn at all. Lift bridges move up and down instead of turning side to side. They don’t move up and down like a span bridge though. The entire platform of the bridge moves straight up and straight down.
A good photo.
Thanks Lviss!
Wow Gary, an A++!!!
Love how you make it “speak” to me!
Thank you very much Luisa!!
I love this picture and have decided that I really need to get myself and nice camera and photoshop!!!
Thanks Sue! Glad you like!!
GO FOR IT!! Let me know if I can lend any advice.
Very cool!!! We have a lift bridge north of us in Duluth. Jason and I took Bailey there a few years ago and watched the ships go through. You can actually stand under it when it’s coming down. There’s always at least one dad pretending to be the Hulk and holding the bridge up so it doesn’t fall on us!!!
ROFLMAO!! That sounds like something I would most likely be doing.
THAT IS NEAT, GARY! I LIKE OLD STRUCTURES AND THE HISTORY BEHIND THEM!
Thanks MMH!