Lyndon Bridge
Why it's listed
Lyndon Bridge spans the Rock River at the south end of 6th Avenue West in Lyndon, Illinois. Three 200-foot Parker through truss spans were built in 1894 to a design by engineer R.S. Riser, with Keefers & Wyncoop as builders. The total cost was $19,606.25, shared by the village and the county. In 1912 the county added a 100-foot riveted Pratt span to better cross the flood plain. Before the bridge, travelers south of the village had to use a ferry. The bridge is the only through truss bridge remaining on public roads in Whiteside County. It was closed to vehicles in 1980 and faced demolition in the 1990s. A local "Save the Bridge" campaign led to village ownership in 1998. The north abutment has been rebuilt, stringers replaced, and deck planks renewed as funds allow. It is now open to pedestrians and cyclists. Its significance rests on its engineering as a local example of both truss types.
Significance in brief: The bridge is significant under Criterion C for engineering as a good local example of the Parker Pratt through truss type with an added approach span. It is the only metal through truss bridge left on public roads in Whiteside County. It also reflects the shift from pin-connected to riveted construction.
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 03000353, listed May 9, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S end of 6th Ave. W, Lyndon |
|---|---|
| County | Whiteside County |
| Listed | May 9, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000353 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1894-1912 |
| Architect / builder | Riser, R.S., Engineer/Keefers & Wyncoop, Builders |
| Architectural style | Other: Parker Pratt through truss bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed to motor vehicles in 1980 and later saved by a local campaign; the Village of Lyndon gained title in 1998. It has been inspected and deemed safe for pedestrian and bicycle use, with repairs ongoing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.71131, -89.92434 (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 03000353.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6708721
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.