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| Name | Three Arches Bridge Little Peno Creek Bridge |
| Built By | St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | Pike County |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 60 Feet Total, 20 Foot Spans |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Concrete Encased Stone Arch |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry and Concrete |
| Date Built | c. 1895, Encased c. 1920 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Automobile Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Automobile Traffic |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 6/19/2016 |
In 1878, the St. Louis, Hannibal and Keokuk Railroad built a line extending from Gilmore, Missouri to Oakwood, Missouri. In 1886, the line would be reorganized as the St. Louis and Hannibal Railway. An additional 22 miles from Ralls Junction to Perry and from Oakwood to Hannibal were constructed in 1893 by the St. Louis, Hannibal and Kansas City Railroad, which was promptly merged into the St. Louis and Hannibal Railway. Because the railroad was in a remote area, business was difficult. The railroad was abandoned in 1943 and 1944, except for a small segment near Moscow Mills, Missouri; which would be sold to the St. Louis & Troy Railroad, and later abandoned in 1961. Today, little remains of this unique local railroad.
Located south of Frankford, this concrete encased stone arch bridge carries the former St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad across an unnamed creek. The first bridge at this location was a wooden trestle. In approximately 1895, this trestle would be filled, and the present structure built. The bridge consists of a three 20-foot stone arch spans, with a standard semi-circle design. In addition, the bridge utilizes wing walls extending diagonally from the structure, typical for this design of bridge. In approximately 1920, the bridge would be rehabilitated by encasing the stone arches in concrete. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads to replace pile trestles, as it was durable and easy to construct. After the railroad was abandoned, the bridge would be acquired by Pike County and converted to roadway use, and now carries County Road 49. In addition to the encasement, a number of repairs have been made to the floor of the structure with concrete and sheet piling. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, with significant spalling throughout the structure. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design and unknown history. This bridge is one of a few remaining structures along the former St. Louis & Hannibal.
Citations
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |