Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis History

A drone tour of STL history and its former source of water. This historic Route 66 bridge maintains its legacy. Connecting two states and people to history.

[@Souped-upJalopies]

i been on that bridge many times. Climbing down the manholes. hanging over the piers.climbing up the sides.etc. i never wanted to jump off it though until i heard this music

[@dashlamb9318]

Must of been "ho" made music.

[@lifeveteran79]

hilarious

[@michaelgarrity6090]

I wish that since you can't use "real music," I wish that people would just leave music out of such videos. I had to turn the sound off, otherwise, this is a great video.

[@dcampbell8779]

F'ing comment really made me laugh! John H, I thank you!

[@forgottonbabyforgottendeca1483]

LOL I agree and lots of memories

[@tlong4577]

R.I.P Robin and Julie Kerry, sisters, my dear sweet friends. Your heartbreaking and untimely demise will forever haunt that bridge. You are both missed, we love you.

[@showmemo3686]

These were the two girls that were beaten and raped and then forced to jump off the bridge and drown.

[@wilde.coyote6618]

@@showmemo3686 terrible, so sad.

[@EGlideKid]

The monsters that did this have a special place reserved for them in the depths of an eternal hell from which no one can escape or find any measure of comfort. This was a terribly tragic event. Sad and needless. Condolences.

[@gingerohlman7141]

I grew up in St. Louis, but moved away many years ago. I returned in 2018 and one of the first things I did was go w/ my bro to the island and walked the bridge in mid-January for Eagle Days, to watch the eagles soar over the water. Cold? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

[@daniels4227]

I've always wanted to go inside of those intake towers!!!! I bet it was so cool living in there

[@JCNDCIII]

So cool! But I would hate to be stuck out there if a boat wasn't quickly available. Doesn't look like there's a good place to dock one.

[@jayski9410]

Those intake towers are magnificent. I love how in the old days they took such pride in what they built. It didn't need just to be functional but it had to look good too. And they built as if it was going to last a couple hundred years.

[@jjano2320]

Yes, it looks like they are still in great shape.

[@MrMitchellw16]

They built things worth caring about

[@bigbabadook213]

I read an article in architecture magazine that explained how in the late 1800s, shipwrights were out of work since new ships were made out of steel. Tough to do fancy work in iron plate. So they shifted to houses where they could continue to add form over function. I guess the same thing happened in masonry & stonework. When those artisans were gone, construction cycled back to utilitarianism and function was all that mattered.

[@michaelgarrity6090]

There is one similar water intake tower built by the City of Cincinnati on the Ohio. It still stands even though like these towers, they long ago stuff it off. That intake tower like these ones have stood up to a hundred years of the power of weather and river.

[@KoldingDenmark]

@Jai Ski You speak my words. Imagine being allowed to live there.

[@Beer-can_full_of_toes]

When my grandfather was teaching his wife how to drive they ended up crossing this bridge. When she saw that bend in the bridge and it already being so narrow she was so scared she let go of the wheel and covered her eyes. Also so scared she didn’t let off the gas so my grandpa had to steer them into Illinois from the passenger seat. I used to drive by this bridge every day on a delivery route and I still laugh to myself about how my poor grandparents almost lost it on that crazy bridge.

[@toker53]

I live in Massachusetts but I crossed that bridge in 1966 with my family on the way to California for a summer road trip. I'm glad they left it up to foot traffic.

[@robertpreskop4425]

What a beautiful majestic old bridge. It is awesome that this landmark gem was repaired and converted into a pedestrian/ bikeway bridge.

[@walterbrown8694]

Probably drove over that bridge in Jan 1958. Drove route 66 from Chicago to Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, CA. My memory says we crossed the Mississippi on a truss bridge, so that's probably the one.

[@EGlideKid]

Nicely done! As a kid, my parents took us across this bridge on the mid 60s, then later after they closed the bridge, my dad and I rode our dirt bikes across it before they blocked the Illinois side off. We would ride all over Choteau Island and I knew it like the back of my hand. Some of my fondest memories on a motorcycle are from here, well before I was old enough to drive legally! I have walked the length of this bridge several times in the early 70s, finding holes in the concrete and big cracks in it as well. I’m thankful for those memories with my parents, who have been gone for 17 years and more now. Still remember those long days of summer very well! Thanks very much for this video!

[@CaptainYoshi06]

its all opened up again! they even held a car show on it about a month ago.

[@alcopower5710]

What a beautiful memory 👍 thanks for sharing

[@bigbabadook213]

Born in St Louis and lived there until I was 2 then across the river in Collinsville for another 9 years. Often went across COR, Eads, & Veterans bridges going back to St Louis to visit relatives & friends.

[@dashlamb9318]

I remember when we crossed "Hall's Ferry" in a covered wagon pulled by the best team of oxen west of the Mississippi. We settled in Florissant. Great grand pa was a Cooper, Gran pa was a "Smithy", Pappy played base, Momma played fiddle. Good times!

[@stephenmayfield7777]

I grew up in north county and went to chain rocks amusement park every year as part of our annual end of school year picnic, loved it. During Highschool we used go there at night and party...great job on this video Jeff P, keep up the good work.

[@jaydee7640]

I was going to say,its hard to believe there was a damn amusement park there. Was it the dragon that went out over the cliff side?

[@tinkmarz1]

@@jaydee7640 I think you're referring to the Mad Mouse...a roller coaster type ride with individual cars. Riding it, you'd think you were going to fly off the tracks right into the river, and then suddenly it made a very sharp turn to the right. And there was The Hammer...two cabs at opposite ends of a long shaft that would revolve, while the cabs spun. Lol...I must have lost 50 bucks in change and a dozen combs in all my times riding that thing (my wallet, too, but I'd always retrieve it).

[@integritynow1]

I remember that too, 1972 ish. It was fun!

[@debbiel8585]

My dad worked at General Motors and every summer they rented out the whole chain of rocks amusement park for his company. They also had a swimming pool. Used to ride the mad mouse roller coaster and the riding spook house!

[@KipH57]

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of my mother and i sitting in the concession right next to the Mad Mouse roller coaster during one of the end-of-year school picnics at the chain of rocks amusement park. That carnival-food smell permeated the air and The Turtles “So Happy Together” was playing on the juke box with all of the racket from the rides banging away in the background. You could literally see the park rides at the top of the hill along the river when crossing the bridge.

[@buddy8225]

Such a beauty. What an experience it would be to cross over into Missouri on this bridge. Wow😀

[@ridgec5670]

I was visiting the area and did just that this week. And rode all the way to the arch and back. Beautiful.

[@jeffp5582]

Everyone hates the music and I'm sorry! I never thought I'd get so many hits on this video or that so many would hate the music. Glad most of you like the video part though!

[@hanadixon967]

I like the music :) 👍👍

[@taroman7100]

The vid and history as presented is great!

[@anaixtar6793]

You're an awesome drone pilot !...:) This is a great video.... I have been curious, like for many many years-- to get a close look at those towers- this clear up many of my impressions and questions about them. Thank you-- ! :)

[@sherryshort7775]

That was the bridge of bridges in my day! I was fascinated by it then and still am now! 😎

[@taroman7100]

When Chain of Rocks amusement park still existed my absolute must ride was the magnificent merry-go-round. Everytime it came round to overlook the river there was this odd little building always in sight. Glorious memories. thank you

[@cheshire_skatkat9093]

Can these things still be visited? Like can I walk the bridge and see the view?

[@MrSuzuki1187]

Thanks for the memories! I grew up near the Chain of Rocks 1956-1980, and drove or rode over the bridge n Many times. St.Louis actually gets its drinking water from the Missouri River as it joins the Mississippi a few miles up stream and has not fully mixed with with the Mississippi water when the water flows past the intake pipes on the Missouri shore.

[@laengan]

aww, the architecture of the water tower, design and and construction of it in a the middle of a river, with technology then available. And still holds. Good job!

[@EDBZ28]

very cool video...footage & history. I liked how you added a picture of the intake tower. I'm amazed learning about what man accomplished before advanced technology and equipment.

[@bobwatson957]

Great to see these buildings in the middle of the river. I'm glad there being maintained.

[@walterdouglas2931]

You have by far the best video of this bridge and intakes. TY

[@joshuastollhans1989]

Thank you so much for documenting this

[@jasonrarick4649]

as a very young boy my mom toured me the chain of rocks park burnt remains. now its a subdivision. bridge was once a brilliant silver

[@taroman7100]

OH it makes me sick to my stomach to think low income housing sits on my once Magic Kingdom. I hate what the world has become.

[@staindpam]

Wonderful video dude. Great camera work! I don't understand why anyone would give it a thumbs down. Love it!!

[@henryostman5740]

music sucks

[@leesanders6914]

Great video!! Thank you. Never have seen those intake towers . Very cool.

[@doberman1ism]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful history of these lovely Romanesque towers. Beautiful photography. I especially like the scene of the bridges reflection on top of the water. I hope to see this someday.

[@karlanelson3191]

I crossed this bridge many times as a kid and also enjoyed the amusement park on the cliff. Would have never gotten this good of view without a drones perspective. Thanks. Really brought back great memories of going over the bridge in that old red Chevy station wagon.😊

[@rosemarierubano5894]

Thank you for this . I love it!

[@williamkerr3350]

Magic,well done and thank you.

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

Than you for this. Never knew where the Chain of Rocks was!

[@charlesblack2523]

A very cool video the water intake towers were awesome, I enjoyed the music as well. 👍🏼

[@paddlenut99]

Nice shots Jeff! I love that place.

[@mauriciod3865]

Great video ! Thanks for sharing.

[@thomasrowell6569]

Thank you for sharing I live to learn at least one new thing every day and this was the best

[@johnturpin8826]

Great video I have always wondered what those houses where . Thank you for taking time to make this video.

[@bradleymayberry9060]

I always liked this bridge. Used to go to there when I was little. Thanks for the memories.

[@ocsrc]

Awesome views from inside looking at the river

[@nealrcn]

Thank you for the drone tour

[@tinkmarz1]

Thank you...! Fascinating bit of history on the bridge and water in-takes. I grew up just north of Granite City and remember driving with my friends across the old bridge to visit Chain Of Rocks Fun Fair (amusement park). The bridge closed the year I graduated HS. It had a very dangerous crook that I remember was the reason for occasional serious auto accidents, which I always approached with great dread...lol.

[@carolynmyers2222]

I remember them. When I was younger we called them little houses in the water. Glad they are still there. Hanks for sharing. Still don’t know what they are for??

[@tonyw.9132]

That was an outstanding job not only in the videography but the narration as well. excellent job.

[@wheeln00]

Thanks for the video and the history lesson. I've lived by this bridge and these houses since 1969 and never knew the history of them. Very Enjoyable.

[@stephaniehanley1016]

I went by these the other day on my way to Illinois and asked my mom what they were. So glad to finally know!

[@heru-deshet359]

Excellent job!

[@ChristopherRyans]

I did a kayaking trip on the Mississippi and went past this it was really great thanks for this video

[@crocodile1313]

Did you go over those "rapids?"

[@dashlamb9318]

I did not do the C of R's, but have done the MR 340. Always wanted to do the Pelican Island Car of Commence Chute.

[@KayNolte]

this was a very nicely done video. thanks!

[@jeffp5582]

Thank you Kay!

[@jofus3604]

A great video, Thanks!

[@CpnCornDog]

Incredible video thank you for the history lesson

[@HighSpeedNoDrag]

Outstanding video as I adore history. Subscribed.

[@jeffp5582]

I've been taking a break for a while and especially since its cold out, but I plan on getting back in action. I'm, looking for good ideas on new drone videos, but can't think of what else would be interesting to film.

[@309lincoln]

Thanks for the closeup view of the intake towers. I remember driving across that bridge always wondering about the intake towers.

[@jessegrant164]

Wow, amazing work

[@Nitro_Joe]

Amazing work! Great footage and history. Looking for more!

[@jeffp5582]

thanks! i got more comming

[@jimweidle2728]

Jeff P great coverage. might you explain why the original bridge design includes a very problematic bend?

[@ckotcher1]

Jim I am going to the bridge today. I will find out and let you know!!

[@jimweidle2728]

Cari Kotcher Great! Working theory: the bridge builders got halfway done, then encountered an especially windy day!

[@terryg995]

JIm, It was designed that way to accommodate barge traffic. It's called Chain of Rocks because a hard chain of limestone rock covers the bottom of the river. Barges used to come across at an angle to avoid this chain of rocks, so when they build the bridge that had to angle it the same degree the barge angled to avoid the rocks.

[@erichurst2496]

Thanks for taking me somewhere I couldn't go to see something I never knew existed.

[@ckotcher1]

Hi Jeff!! 😀 Great video man. You left out a little of history like parts of the film "Escape from New York " being filmed on it back in 1981, and then of course the horrible murders of the Kelly sisters 10 years later 😢 But I can see why you left that stuff out because your video wasn't about that. I live near this bridge too and I don't have a drone but the weather today is nice so I'm hoping to take some pictures. I don't think people realize how majestic this bridge truly is. That being said I also found it quite eerie! I went on a day when no one was there and it was foggy and cold so I'm sure that added to it. But mostly it was how remote the bridge is. As you know you have to go over a different bridge and onto an island just to get to it. Hopefully it'll be a little less scary today 🙂👍🌅 Take care.

[@Digfineline]

Troll Bait Kerry sisters

[@jeffp5582]

Thank you! I didn't know part of escape from new york was filmed there, that's interesting! I'll have to rewatch that film. You know a shot in thick fog would be interesting to see, but hard to fly a drone in. I got a new drone now, I'll have to try it out!

[@ericdraven7185]

when I was a kid my family was driving across the other bridge while they were filming Escape From New York on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge... even to this day I still remember seeing that.

[@stevo5521]

Kerry sisters!

[@dustyredcliffs]

Right-On Thank You for sharing.

[@rickbrown7287]

Iam a truck driver, cross the 270 bridge a lot. I always wondered what those structures were in the river. Thanks for answering my question. ✌😎

[@davidgray1175]

Great video!

[@mrbadx19]

Nice video, Nomadic Fanatic posted a video on the bridge today, he had no clue what the "houses" were, thanks for the facts and background.

[@nowweride3094]

I know this footage was shot back in 2016.. but I bet those structures still look the same today as they did then! The craftsmanship of the workers will stand for another 100 years! 🇺🇸👍

[@erikriza7165]

i remember going across that bridge to the old Chain of Rocks Amusement Park.

[@arroulford403]

The towers are incredible pieces of architecture!

[@TheJacklwilliams]

You left out one THING and I'm not certain it's not urban legend but I think it's real.... Escape from NY shot a scene on that bridge. Yeah, Snake Pliskin. Kurt Russel became Snake Pliskin in that cheesy movie that I still love to this day. Ever since, to me, he's Snake. That scene wasn't NY it was our Chain of Rocks bridge... Anyway, great great great video THANK YOU! I've bycicled over that bridge since they reopened it on long distance bike rides many times. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

[@trumpetmano]

Thanks for the video! Cool Beans!!!

[@robbysturdivant563]

great video, wish i could like it twice

[@jeffp5582]

Thanks Robby!

[@generalkickass6385]

Yes I forgot in John carpenters film staring Kurt Russell escape from new York certain scenes even towards the end of the film the bridge scene that was actually the chain of rocks bridge and also yes where the murders that took place of those sister's that died that night thrown from the bridge my heart go out to the family of loved ones god bless

[@jimnoeth3040]

Great video. I grew up in Granite City, the town on the Illinois side. I remember my parents driving across the bridge and being scared. By the way, the bend is due to the fact that the river bottom prevented the construction of a pier, so the bridge had to be bent to continue.

[@helenetling3977]

Me too. I used to close my eyes.

[@LS1LE]

Fun video, thank you

[@303Ronin]

Beautiful footage, that can be a dangerous area.... happy you didn't get jacked.

[@sthpac69]

The music was cool and so was the video. I have a lot of memories of the bridge and the amusement park up on the hill.

[@jeffp5582]

I wish I could have seen that amusement park, but it was before my time. I too have a lot of memories of this bridge!

[@sthpac69]

The Ferris wheel was situated facing the high cliff so that when it was on the down roll it just made the butterflies that much more.

[@terryg995]

I went the summer of '77 and it closed the next year in '78. You can't find any good photos of it anywhere. It's like Dogpatch USA, just gone.

[@SteelFr0nt]

I always wondered what those buildings were for thanks for making this video

[@jonjacob1962]

These would be SO awesome to live in...

[@roddycampbell3414]

Remember going over the Chain of Rocks when I was a kid in the early 1960s, we even went to the amusement park several times, and I loved crossing it and looking out at the water and how far you could see.

[@hsahtoo7176]

Oo

[@who2999]

Great place to fly especially at sunset. Lost an anafi to a Hawk out there once tho so gotta be careful if you fly a smaller drone, they look tasty to some of the local wild life.

[@beerbbqbaseball1585]

Well done.

[@Pb-ij4ip]

That was very cool! I seem to recall similar structures in the river, maybe at Jefferson Barracks? As a youth they always thrilled me...like little castles in the river. Glad to know what they actually are. Still think they’re beautiful,though.

[@robertcrafton7187]

Beautiful infrastructure. Reminds me of the water intake cribs in Lake Michigan.

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

Pipe monitor! That sounds like it would be a very relaxing job.

[@terryg995]

Wait until the Mighty Mississippi floods and say that.

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

Cool bridge I love visiting this place. Some work needs to be done on your drone skills the footage made me sick lol but I did enjoy the info. I have drone footage from this that I shot

[@ronwileyjr]

Born and raised on the west side 5-1 Minerva aka the nerve ,went to Emerson elementary on page and stowe middle on goodfellow, moved to Atlanta in 99 came back in 2021 now I live in centerville Illinois,I see this bridge everyday on my way to my uncle house who lives in bellefontaine

[@sherrygraham8650]

I was born in St. Louis but can’t call it home as I have no memory of it. Makes you feel very disconnected to a connection. So grateful for this piece of history and a place I so want to visit now. I have visited some places and even cruised on the SS Abmiral as a child. Last year I read Devil in the White City about Chicago, any suggestions on a good read about St.Louis history with a dark side. Again thank you for this beautiful piece of history and I look forward to more.

[@dashlamb9318]

I too was born and raised in St. Louis. Here's one I was fascinated by, "History of Early Steamboat Navigation on the Missouri River, Volume 1 (of 2)." The author, Joseph La Barge was born in Baden Mo. in the early 1800's and claims Native American Indians were still in residence in the Baden area when he was an infant - albeit hunted and starved out with westward expansion. He navigated the "Chain of Rocks" throughout his life as a steam boat Captain, traveling up the Mississippi and then up the Missouri on a regular basis.

[@williamcarnell2251]

Early Steve McQueen movie from 1959 called "The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery" was filmed in St. Louis showing it from the late 1950's. I was born in St. Louis and raised just across the river in Illinois. I just recently saw this movie and had never heard of it before.

[@joebrock3372]

Jeff... Great Vid.

[@JCNDCIII]

What do the scenic approaches to the bridge you describe look like now?

[@ocsrc]

What a cool job.

[@boydmerriman]

Very interesting history! I always thought the bridge was a train trestle. I live in Missouri now, but not from here. Now I think I would like to take a walk across this bridge. They do allow bicycles? Can you imagine driving across that bridge, especially with that sharp bend, and in a traffic jam before the I-270 bridge was built?

[@stevereller664]

I lived. In Glasgow Village, went to. CHAIN OF ROCKS amusement park as a kid

[@SteveSmith-om9hr]

So did I. Riverview gardens jr high 1977

[@stevereller664]

@@SteveSmith-om9hr I lived on McDougal Dr and went to St Pius on Shelley Dr, but moved to Southern California around 4th grade, but went back every summer to visit my Dad, who had an Apt Glasgow Gardens right across the from the Glasgow shopping center

[@FumariVI]

That music's got a good beat. I think I could dance to it.

[@giancarlomoscetti215]

awesome architecture on those towers...back when America was great and knew how to make things.

[@brentmoentmann]

If you've seen the size of fish that have been pulled from this river, you'd think twice. There's been over 300lb catfish pulled outta there. My Dad always told me the story bout divers retrieving cars in the river, when one diver came up and looked like he'd seen a ghost. He said there were fish down there as big as the car they found.

[@wdtbradioinc9851]

Awesome video...would you let us know what kind of drone you used? Thank you.

[@jeffp5582]

Its a DJI Phantom 3 Standard, one of the cheaper models, but it does just fine!

[@therenegade2660]

WDTB Radio, Inc That drone is dope

[@therenegade2660]

Jeff P That was dope of you to do this

[@stewweimer6615]

Very cool 😎

[@brianpreston8483]

Very nice

[@kingtut8381]

GOOD ONE. THANX

[@Fitter562lu]

Thank you for the video ,I think the Chain Of Rocks Bridge is the only bridge in the world with a turn in the span of the bridge. I grew up in North county. Where did you go to high school..lol

[@taroman7100]

Me too, Roosevelt Ave off Goodfellow ave.

[@ivytominack5481]

What song is this?!?! The first song? I love it!

[@speedlearner]

Good evening. I liked your video and I plan to visit the bridge in about a month. I heard that there was some vandalism in the parking lot. Should I be concerned about that?

[@thedarkchild86]

Great video man ...I love quirkey historical things.... America got hundreds of thousands hidden gems

[@terrisantiago9128]

Beautiful they are

[@4by4squared88]

I use to drive by this every day going to work in Granite city Illinois from Spanish Lake