Illinois Central Stone Arch Railroad Bridges
Also known as: City Street Arches
Why it's listed
Three semicircular stone arch bridges in western Dixon, Illinois, carry railroad tracks over West First, Second and Third Streets. Built between 1852 and 1855 of coursed Galena limestone from Dement's Quarry, they were designed and built by contractor Robert Finley Laing for the Illinois Central Railroad. The tracks run on a roughly 15-foot embankment, and the arches let street traffic pass beneath. Clearances are 14, 15 and 12 feet, and each arch spans 28 feet. The stones were cut to fit without bond, with keyed joints, and the work has changed little apart from limited tuckpointing around 1912-15. The bridges matter because the railroad shaped Dixon's growth. After trains began running through town in 1855, the Dementtown area filled with mills, hotels, and industries beside the depots, and the town's population grew. The arches are the only ones of their type in Lee County and remain among the oldest stone structures in Dixon.
Significance in brief: The bridges are tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, an important 19th-century transportation route in Illinois, and to the growth of Dixon as a transportation and service center for Lee County. They are described as the only stone arch bridges of their type in Lee County and as some of the oldest stone structures in Dixon. The form also stresses their architectural character and excellent physical condition.
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 87002048, listed December 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W. First, W. Second, & W. Third Sts. between Monroe & College Aves., Dixon |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | December 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87002048 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1852-1855 |
| Architect / builder | Robert Finley Laing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, unaltered and on their original site; still in use carrying Illinois Central tracks over the streets. Only limited tuckpointing around 1912-15 is noted. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 41.84328, -89.48977 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87002048.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5999396
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.