This structure carried a Rock Island spur over a power canal of the Illinois River, in Marseilles.
The spur was reportedly built in 1888, when all the bridges were apparently built. Two more structures, a girder and a truss, also exist at this location.
It is unknown if the spur was actually built in 1888, but the author suspects that this bridge may have been moved from another location, based on the concrete substructures.
Fabricated in 1888, this bridge is a simple 7 panel, Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss, with riveted connections. It rests on concrete substructures.
In addition, the structure was an early example of Lassig Bridge & Iron Works craftsmanship, oftentimes using the Double Intersection Warren Truss for their construction.
As the Historic American Engineering Record has to say about this structure:
"One of the oldest bridges in the [I&M] Heritage Corridor, this single span Howe truss carries a spur of the Rock Island Railroad across the Marseilles power canal into the Nabisco Carton Factory. The use of the Howe truss for railroad bridges was increasingly uncommon for such late-nineteenth century metal bridges."
The bridge also has an uncertain future. Currently the Nabisco plant sits abandoned, however talks of opening it as a museum have spurred.
Other ideas include demolition of the plant, which may have an adverse effect on the three abandoned and historic bridges at this location.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and could be reused for a trail at this location or another location.
The author has ranked the bridge as being regionally significant, due to the older age of the bridge, as well as the unknown history.
The photo above is an overview from upstream, and the historic photos are HAER photos compiled in 1997.
| Upstream | Seneca Lift Bridge |
| Middle Canal | Marseilles Nabisco Bridge #2 |
| South Canal | Marseilles Nabisco Bridge #3 |
| Downstream | Ottawa Lift Bridge |