is the Babylon Bend Bridge. The town of Babylon is unremarkable. A collection of fishing shacks most of which are still occupied. But the bridge is of interest. A wood and metal bridge constructed over the Spoon River in 1875. It's had no major changes since then except for regular repairs. Not a ruin so much in that it's not used, but it has been pretty much forgoten. I was in the only vehicle to cross it in over 30 minutes. it's on a back road that you really have to look for in order to find. it's on the National Register of Historic places but there is no sign to even let you know that. Unfortunately, the National register is very specific about what can and can't be replaced so sometimes things go without repair. Historically it's been a dangerous bridge because the road coming through Babylon from the opposite side comes down a long hill and around a blind corner. So there is no way of knowing if someone else is on the bridge.
Approaching
Far side
Side view
Single lane wooden tracks
Over the railing
Past accident
Rusty support, loose board
Driving into the sun
Rusty Rail
Long way to back up if you meet another car
Upper structure
Spoon River. Hard to imagine the thousands of pioneer families (including mine) who came up this by raft in the early 1800's. It's down because of our drought.
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Enjoy,
Wander
Comments
From Carthage, Babylon would be about an hour and a half drive. You'd go to Macomb and then head up to Bushnell and go toward Canton from there. Babylon is about midway between. It's not on any state maps that I know of but I could tell you which roads to turn down.
Wander
I've driven from Bushnell to Canton tons of times...i've even intertubed down part of the Spoon River with some friends one afternoon..tho i think it was more toward the north branch.
Wander
Wander
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