Embarras River Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning the Embarras River at the northern edge of Newton, Illinois, this 148-foot steel Pratt through truss bridge was completed in 1890 to replace a wooden bridge that needed repair and could not be used when the river was high. Sixteen bidders competed for the contract, and the Chicago Bridge Company won with a bid of $3,400, not including abutments and approaches. The county accepted the bridge in December 1890. It has a wood plank deck, stone and concrete abutments, and a usable roadway width of 13 feet 6 inches. Locally it is called the Old Mill Bridge or Old Wagon Bridge. It is the only Pratt through truss in Jasper County and one of the oldest truss bridges in Illinois, and it was recognized for its engineering. Original nameplates remain at both ends. Later changes include welded plates at the bases of the vertical channels, replaced deck boards and protective fencing. It still carries light traffic.
Significance in brief: The bridge is locally significant under Criterion C for engineering as a classic Pratt through truss. It is the only Pratt through truss bridge in Jasper County and one of the oldest truss bridges in Illinois. Both original nameplates, reading "1890 CHICAGO BRIDGE COMPANY," remain intact and legible.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 98000472, listed May 20, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Wade Township Rd. 164 over Embarras R., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Jasper County |
| Listed | May 20, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000472 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architect / builder | Chicago Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Pratt through truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains open to light traffic with a posted four ton load limit; maintained with welded reinforcing plates, some replaced deck timbers and safety fencing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.99535, -88.16192 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 98000472.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5369491
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.