Locust Creek covered bridge
Jun 25, 2023 13:33:24 #
bikinkawboy
Loc: north central Missouri
On the way home from a wedding I checked out Locust Creek covered bridge in Linn County Missouri. During the 1849 California gold rush it carried a lot of people heading for Independence MO and then west to California as well as the Oregon Trail. It then became part of Route 8, one of the first transcontinental roads across the US.
Note that it doesn’t cross a creek anymore. Sometime around 1945 Locust Creek was channelized, leaving the bridge over a dry creek bed, which eventually silted in.
Any one interested in Missouri state parks should be aware that there is never an entrance fee to a state park. I don’t know if there are any other states where entry to every state park is without charge.
Note that it doesn’t cross a creek anymore. Sometime around 1945 Locust Creek was channelized, leaving the bridge over a dry creek bed, which eventually silted in.
Any one interested in Missouri state parks should be aware that there is never an entrance fee to a state park. I don’t know if there are any other states where entry to every state park is without charge.
Jun 25, 2023 13:38:26 #
Jun 25, 2023 14:15:25 #
Nice photos!! Thanks for the info!
Dodie
Dodie
Jun 25, 2023 14:20:27 #
Jun 25, 2023 14:27:42 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
On the way home from a wedding I checked out Locus... (show quote)
Interesting info and photos.
Jun 25, 2023 15:15:44 #
Jun 25, 2023 15:32:40 #
Jun 26, 2023 08:25:27 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
On the way home from a wedding I checked out Locus... (show quote)
Missou has the correct idea of free passage into their parks., But they miss the mark with this bridge. Why bridge something as easily traversed as this field of grass? Bridges were usually constructed to cross otherwise uncrossable terrain, such as water, or gorges. "Show Me" the reason?
Jun 26, 2023 09:05:04 #
Jun 26, 2023 10:15:14 #
DonB
Loc: Port Royal , Tn
davidrb wrote:
Missou has the correct idea of free passage into their parks., But they miss the mark with this bridge. Why bridge something as easily traversed as this field of grass? Bridges were usually constructed to cross otherwise uncrossable terrain, such as water, or gorges. "Show Me" the reason?
In his description of the location, the "field of grass" is addressed.
As to the no charge of state parks in Mo., my home state, Tennessee is also a no charge state. davidrb, nice work!
Jun 26, 2023 11:36:15 #
Great bridge and story. I didn't know that about MO parks. Good to know.
Jun 26, 2023 15:09:59 #
bikinkawboy wrote:
On the way home from a wedding I checked out Locus... (show quote)
I heard that they removed the creek because it was deteriorating the bridge. Thank gosh that we have Photoshop AI coming on the scene to replace the water.
A bridge without a stream is sadder than a barn without........
Boris
Jun 26, 2023 21:57:15 #
bikinkawboy
Loc: north central Missouri
A lot of the larger creeks and rivers were channelized in the 1930’s. No doubt a lot was Depression era make-work projects. Other projects occurred in the 50’s and 60’s.
Straightening the creeks shortened the distance between any two points but the elevation drop remained the same. As a result the water velocity increased, which erodes the channel lower and lower. In many places the new channel is 6-8’ (or more) deeper than the original channel. Flooding in the channelized area is lessened, although downstream flooding is worsened. The old abandoned channel turns into a slough and eventually silts in through natural processes.
With my in town job, I’m still dealing with active erosion problems that originated miles away in the deepened channel 80-90 years ago.
Straightening the creeks shortened the distance between any two points but the elevation drop remained the same. As a result the water velocity increased, which erodes the channel lower and lower. In many places the new channel is 6-8’ (or more) deeper than the original channel. Flooding in the channelized area is lessened, although downstream flooding is worsened. The old abandoned channel turns into a slough and eventually silts in through natural processes.
With my in town job, I’m still dealing with active erosion problems that originated miles away in the deepened channel 80-90 years ago.
Jun 27, 2023 03:48:43 #
RodeoMan
Loc: St Joseph, Missouri
These are some fine images. As a northwest Missourian I know as you do, that Linn county was also the birthplace for both Walt Disney and General John Pershing. There is plenty that Missouri doesn't do as well as it could, but it is top notch in its parks and other natural resources. I have absolutely no complaint about the added small amount of my state taxes that goes for conservation.
Jun 27, 2023 09:08:22 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.