Photos 

< Previous   (1 of 13)   Next >

Overview

< Previous   (2 of 13)   Next >

South arches

< Previous   (3 of 13)   Next >

North arches

< Previous   (4 of 13)   Next >

Detail of one arch

< Previous   (5 of 13)   Next >

Center stringer spans

< Previous   (6 of 13)   Next >

Underneath arch

< Previous   (7 of 13)   Next >

Center pier

< Previous   (8 of 13)   Next >

Underneath center span

< Previous   (9 of 13)   Next >

Deck view looking south

< Previous   (10 of 13)   Next >

Concrete railing

< Previous   (11 of 13)   Next >

Looking upstream

< Previous   (12 of 13)   Next >

View from above

< Previous   (13 of 13)   Next >

Plaque

Map 

Vicinity Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Facts 

Overview
Seven stone arch spans over Terre Bleue Creek on Hillsboro Road
Location
St. Francois County, Missouri
Status
Open to traffic with a 15 ton weight limit
Future prospects
Preserved
History
Built 1932 by the Works Progress Administration
Builder
- Works Progress Administration
Design
Stone arch
Dimensions
Length of largest span: 29.8 ft.
Total length: 203.0 ft.
Deck width: 20.0 ft.
Also called
Ruth L. Waller Bridge (official name)
Approximate latitude, longitude
+37.92763, -90.47111   (decimal degrees)
37°55'39" N, 90°28'16" W   (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates
15/722265/4200801 (zone/easting/northing)
Land survey
Survey #2107 (T. 37 N., R. 5 E.)
USGS topographic map
French Village
Inventory numbers
MONBI 13972 (Missouri bridge number on the National Bridge Inventory)
BH 22608 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection (as of 03/2007)
Deck condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 60.6 (out of 100)
Average daily traffic (as of 2007)
130

Update Log 

  • April 30, 2005: Posted all new photos

Comments 

Seven Stone Arches Bridge
Posted May 19, 2006, by Melanie Rickmar (Genea44 [at] JCN [dot] net)

Charles C. Blackwell planned and helped construct this bridge. His obituary:

LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Thurs. Nov. 26, 1981

CHARLES C. BLACKWELL

Charles Coleman Blackwell of Bonne Terre, passed away at his residence November 20, 1981 at the age of 94. He was born February 4, 1887 in Blackwell, Mo. to the late Aquilla and Dolly (Coleman) Blackwell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (Miller) Blackwell, in 1960; one daughter, Ruby Collins; 5 sisters and 7 brothers.

Surviving are 4 sons and 2 daughters: Robert Blackwell, Bonne Terre; Ralph Blackwell, Newport Beach, California; Earl Blackwell, Hillsboro, Mo.; James Blackwell, St. Charles; Elsie (Mrs. L. B.) Matthews, Middlebrook; and Bonnie (Mrs. Leslie) Bates of Bismarck, North Dakota.

Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Fannie Eaves of Festus, Mo., 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Blackwell was a former school teacher, farmer and stone mason. The proudest accomplishment of his long life was his planning and construction of the seven-arch bridge across Terre Bleu on the old Hillsboro Road, 4 miles east of Bonne Terre.

Services were Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Sparks Chapel with Rev. Leland Butler officiating.

Interment was in St. Francois Memorial Park under the direction of Sparks Funeral Home of Bonne Terre.