At Roodhouse, it connected to another StLJ&C mainline.
Three years prior, the Louisiana and Missouri River Railroad constructed a line between Mexico, Missouri and the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Missouri.
The two railroads would finally connect in 1873, when a bridge would be constructed over the Mississippi River.
An additional 163 miles to Kansas City would be built westward from Mexico in 1878, finally seeing completion in 1879. This line was constructed by the Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago Railroad.
Both the railroads in Missouri would be under control of the Chicago & Alton Railroad from completion. In Illinois, the St. Louis, Jacksonville and Chicago Railroad would become fully absorbed by the Chicago & Alton in 1899.
The Chicago & Alton operated this route as a backbone type route, connecting Kansas City to the Mississippi River.
In 1931, the Chicago & Alton would be renamed the Alton Railroad, and be operated as a subsidiary of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This lasted until 1947, when it became part of the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad.
The GMO operated this line until 1972, when they merged with Illinois Central to form Illinois Central Gulf; who operated this line until 1987.
By 1987, the line had deteriorated significantly. The line was sold to the Chicago, Missouri and Western Railway. This railroad failed very quickly, and by 1990 the line was spun off to Gateway Western Railroad.
From 1990 to 1997, Gateway Western was an affiliate of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. After ATSF merged to form BNSF, GWWR became a subsidiary of Kansas City Southern.
Kansas City Southern fully dissolved the GWWR in 2001, and continues to operate this line.
06/26/21
Located on the northwest side Independence, this small steel stringer bridge crosses Wilson Road at Oxford Avenue.
There is some confusion about the history of this bridge. A 1979 track profile indicates that the main span was built in 1892 and rebuilt in 1899. It also states that the stone abutments date to 1878, when this line was constructed.
The author did not see some of the typical signs of an early 1890s beam, although it is also clear that the span was not replaced after 1979. It is likely that the 1899 rebuild completely replaced any 1892 structure.
Currently, the bridge consists of a single steel stringer span, set onto stone and concrete substructures. The main span features a ballasted deck and six beams arranged in an evenly spaced pattern. A small stone arch also apparently exists to the north of this bridge, although the author was not able to find it.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.