Ripson Bridge

Ripson Bridge

Side view of Ripson Bridge
Coordinates 38°57′37″N 89°33′24″W / 38.96023°N 89.55670°W / 38.96023; -89.55670Coordinates: 38°57′37″N 89°33′24″W / 38.96023°N 89.55670°W / 38.96023; -89.55670
Crosses Shoal Creek
Locale Sorento, Illinois
Other name(s) Historic Ripson Bridge
Characteristics
Design Truss bridge
History
Opened April 1895
Closed July 1, 1988 (still open as a pedestrian walkway)

Ripson Bridge is a truss bridge located southeast of Sorento, Illinois, in the United States. It is the last pony truss bridge in Bond County, and one of a few remaining pony truss bridges left in the state of Illinois. Ripson Bridge was designated a local and county historical site in 1988.[1]

History

Ripson Bridge was built over Shoal Creek in 1895 on property originally owned by Cyrus Ripson.[2] Ripson Bridge was a part of the transportation system in Bond County until 1988 when a new bridge was completed in the summer of 1988 just north of Ripson Bridge.[1] Shortly after, the bridge was sold to the Sorento Homecoming Association.[1]

Festival

On Sunday, September 25, 1988, the first Ripson Bridge Festival was held.[3] The Ripson Bridge Festival has been held annually ever since (there was one year it was rained out) and has become an important part of the community fabric of Sorento and its citizens.[4] Over 10,000 people attended the Ripson Bridge Festival in 2013.[5]

The Ripson Bridge Festival is usually held during the first Sunday in October.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ingles, Clifford (1992). "Sorento Homecoming Association Accepts Deed to Ripson Bridge". History of Shoal Creek Volume III and Ripson Bridge. Sorento, IL: Sorento Homecoming Association. p. 7.
  2. ↑ Ingles, Clifford (1992). "Cyrus Ripson". History of Shoal Creek Volume III and Ripson Bridge. Sorento, IL: Sorento Homecoming Association. p. 19.
  3. ↑ Ingles, Clifford (1992). History of Shoal Creek Volume III and Ripson Bridge. Sorento, IL: Sorento Homecoming Association. p. 12.
  4. ↑ Varner, Tom. Personal Interview. May 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ Sorento Homecoming Association personnel. Personal Interview. October 8, 2013.
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