The Bellefontaine Bridge

The Bellefontaine Bridge. . This stone arch bridge dates back to 1877 when it was built by Charles Liebheit and Christian Hartmann. It extends over a tributary of Fountain Creek, called Moore's Run (named after James Moore, one of the founders of Waterloo). This bridge is especially important to Monroe County as well as the State of Illinois' history as it connects the only intact portion of the original Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail., The Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail (KCT), though only a "trace" or footpath of the Indians, was the only established road through the wilderness and probably the deciding factor for settlement of the earliest American communities in what became Illinois. The first American settlement in the State of Illinois is located here, at a place where the French called La Belle Fontaine, because of the beautiful spring that was here. The spring became a stopping point along the KCT and the area became the founding settlement of the City of Waterloo., Due to weathering and age, La Bellefontaine Bridge was badly deteriorating and the community could have lost a very valuable piece of history. However, thanks to generous donations, the bridge was able to undergo a restoration project in 2015., Thank you to the support given from the following community organizations and businesses:, Illinois American Water Environmental Grant , Landmarks Illinois Preservation Heritage Fund Grant , Monroe County History Museum , Monroe County Genealogy Society , Monroe County Historical Society , City of Waterloo, Thank you for helping preserve the rich history of our great City!.