General Dean Suspension Bridge

On May 12,1859, a contract was awarded to Griffith D. Smith of 
Pennsylvania, to satisfy demands for a bridge crossing the Kaskaskia River, open to the public along the Vincennes, St. Louis Road (Goshen Trail). Mr. Smith's contract specified the construction of a "sturdy, lasting bridge, whose span from tower to tower would be 280 feet. The stone abutments to which the main suspension cables would be anchored were to reach down at least 15 feet below ground surface and the stone towers were to be 35 feet high." 

The original bridge, built at a cost of $45,000, opened for traffic in 1861 and served as the major crossing of the Kaskaskia River along the Goshen Trail for sixty-five years. The bridge operated as a toll bridge during its early years of service. The toll fares derived were used to defray the cost of the original construction and also provided funds for maintenance of the structure. In 1920, with the construction of another more modern crossing of the Kaskaskia River at U.S. Route 50 approximately 300 feet downstream, the General Dean Suspension Bridge was abandoned and fell into a state of disrepair
. 
In 1951, primarily due to efforts of a number of Clinton County 
residents and local legislators, the Illinois General Assembly 
appropriated funds to rehabilitate the bridge. At this time, the 
structure was converted to a pedestrian bridge and the bridge deck width was reduced to six feet.
 
General William F. Dean

On Veteran's Day, November 11, 1953, ceremonies were held in 
Carlyle to dedicate and name the bridge the "General Dean 
Suspension Bridge" in honor to Korean War Hero and one-time resident of Carlyle, General William F. Dean. 
The City of Carlyle again assumed role of caretaker for the structure and through administrative efforts petitioned for and succeeded in having the structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 1975. The "Historical" designation enabled the City to secure public funding in 1977 for bridge rehabilitation "in the interest of public safety" to maintain the structure in continued use as a pedestrian bridge. 

In 1989, again due to concerted efforts of city administrators and 
legislative officials, the Illinois General Assembly appropriated 
sufficient funds to undertake major renovation and rehabilitation work on the structure. This work was completed in 1991.and 1996. The General Dean Suspension Bridge continues to serve as a legacy of our past and a historical attraction to the residents of our city, county, state and country. 


Top of Page

Designed by Dale Henryt
Carlyle, Illinois