redsugar
Chain of Rocks Castle
There are two bizarre little castles up on pedestals just south of the river. The pedestals have something to do with water intake, but I have no idea why the buildings are shaped like castles. It's an interesting touch, though.
Behind the castle, you can see why the bridge is called Chain of Rocks. There's a long, dangerous string of rocks in the water, which is what's causing that whitewater. I've read that there's some kind of underwater dam that raises the water level enough for ships and barges to get through without being grounded or ripped to shreds. But I couldn't see it. I wouldn't even try to take a canoe through there!
It's those rapids that inspired the strange shape of the bridge. If the bridge went straight across from Missouri to Illinois, without the bend, ships swerving to avoid the rocks wouldn't be able to straighten out in time, and would likely smash into the legs of the bridge.
Chain of Rocks Castle
There are two bizarre little castles up on pedestals just south of the river. The pedestals have something to do with water intake, but I have no idea why the buildings are shaped like castles. It's an interesting touch, though.
Behind the castle, you can see why the bridge is called Chain of Rocks. There's a long, dangerous string of rocks in the water, which is what's causing that whitewater. I've read that there's some kind of underwater dam that raises the water level enough for ships and barges to get through without being grounded or ripped to shreds. But I couldn't see it. I wouldn't even try to take a canoe through there!
It's those rapids that inspired the strange shape of the bridge. If the bridge went straight across from Missouri to Illinois, without the bend, ships swerving to avoid the rocks wouldn't be able to straighten out in time, and would likely smash into the legs of the bridge.