Chicago & North Western Railway Stone Arch Bridge
Also known as: Kinnikinnick Creek Railway Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning South Kinnikinnick Creek just east of Roscoe, Illinois, this double-arch railroad bridge was built in 1882 for the Chicago & North Western Railway. Engineer Van Mienen designed it in dolomitic limestone with a rubble fill, and it measures 53 feet between abutments and 60 feet wide. The bridge replaced a wooden trestle destroyed by a creek flood in 1881. Its arch stones interlock to resist spreading, and an internal drainage system carries water out through ducts at the center pier. The bridge allowed heavier trains carrying grain, sand and cement products to reach Chicago markets, and it supported the local sand quarry trade. Ballast was added in 1900 to allow heavier loads. It is the only multi-arch, stone-face rubble-fill bridge left in Winnebago County. Little else of the railroad's local surroundings survives, and the bridge is slated for use as part of a nature trail for residents and visitors.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion A for the bridge's role in the Roscoe area's transportation history. It replaced a wooden trestle and let heavier loads of grain, sand and cement products travel to Chicago. It is also the only multi-arch, stone-face rubble-fill bridge remaining in Winnebago County.
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 93000840, listed August 19, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 0.6 mi. E of IL 251, 0.6 mi. W of I-90 and 0.2 mi. S of Burr Oak Rd., Roscoe |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Listed | August 19, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000840 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1882 |
| Architect / builder | Mienen, Van, engineer; Chicago & North Western Railway, builder |
| Architectural style | Other: Stone arch bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Not altered except for some recent tuckpointing and an attempt to fill a crack in the southwest arch face; the owner is the Town of Roscoe, and a nature trail is planned for the bridge. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.41580, -88.99755 (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 93000840.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28125988
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.