Camelback Bridge
Also known as: Illinois Central Railroad Bridge No. A797-14
Why it's listed
Carrying Virginia Avenue over the Constitution Trail in Normal, Illinois, this humped timber and iron bridge was built in 1906 by the Illinois Central Railroad. It crosses the former rail line, and its raised center let steam locomotives pass beneath while town traffic crossed above. The bridge is about 116 feet long, with a 32-foot central span formed by a timber king post pony truss. Twelve wrought iron Phoenix columns, stamped with an 1862 patent date, support the approach spans and were probably salvaged from an earlier bridge. Despite its popular name, the bridge is not a true camelback design. It is listed for its engineering significance: it is the only known functioning king post truss bridge in Illinois and one of only two known in the state to use Phoenix columns. A 1993 steel sub-structure was added to reinforce the central span, and the timber deck was last replaced in 1991.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it meets Criterion C in engineering because it combines a timber king post pony truss with twelve wrought iron Phoenix columns dating from the 1860s. It is described as the only known functioning king post truss bridge in Illinois and one of only two known Illinois bridges using Phoenix columns. It is considered locally significant.
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 97000383, listed May 15, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Virginia Ave., across the Constitution Trail, Normal |
|---|---|
| County | McLean County |
| Listed | May 15, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000383 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1906 |
| Architect / builder | Illinois Central Railroad, Phoenix Iron Company |
| Architectural style | OTHER: King post, pony timber truss; Phoenix column |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Carries two-way vehicular traffic, posted for 8 tons and 10 mph. A steel sub-structure was added in 1993 to shore up the bridge after an engineering assessment found decay in the timbers. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.49831, -88.98259 (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 97000383.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5025872
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.