Fenton in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Crossing the River

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 26, 2022

1. Crossing the River Marker

Inscription. The first bridge across the Meramec River was located at this site. This wooden covered toll structure was privately owned and opened in 1854. The original cost for this bridge was $19,000. In 1874 the bridge became toll free when it was purchased by the county.

Some stonework of the original bridge can be seen at this site. A new toll free iron bridge located 500 feet downstream from the original site was built in 1925 by the State Highway Department. This bridge is in use today and is referred to as the "Old Gravois Bridge".

Currently, three bridges cross the river in the city and help connect the rest of the world to Fenton. These bridges carry 120,714 cars daily across the Meramec. At 10 cents per car we could pay for the original covered bridge 4 1/2 times per week.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 38° 30.834′ N, 90° 26.109′ W. Marker is in Fenton, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Mound Street, on the right when traveling north on Water Street. Marker is also located off the Meramec Greenway trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 Water St, Fenton MO 63026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Era of Abuse Through Use (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fenton (about 300 feet away); Early Visitors (about 300 feet away); Meramec River Greenway - Winter Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fallen Heroes Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. one mile away); George Greenamyer (American, born 1939) (approx. 2.4 miles away); Geoffrey Krawzyck (American, born 1978) (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fenton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Meramec River Greenway - Fenton City Park (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 26, 2022

2. Crossing the River Marker

Photographed by Carl Scott Zimmerman, October 3, 2021

3. Crossing the River Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 593 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 14, 2022, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri.