Cairo in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The "Big Subway Gate"
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 13, 2022
1. The "Big Subway Gate" Marker
Inscription.
The "Big Subway Gate" was constructed in 1914 by Stupp Brothers of St. Louis, MO. The gate was built on the plan of the Gatum Dam at the Panama Canal and weighs 80 tons, is 60 ft. wide, 24 ft. high and 5 ft. thick. The counter weights used to raise and lower the gate weigh almost as much as the gate itself, so that it will require only the effort of 2 men at each windless, one windless on each side of the gate, to raise the gate when it has been lowered. The cables used in the "crabs" in raising and lowering the gate are about 2 inches in thickness. On August 28, 1914, the big flood gate was given a formal test. Work began on the gate April 29th with the steel work commencing June 27th. The cost of the gate was a little more than $11,000. The gate was completed on August 23, ten days before its scheduled completion date of Sept. 1, 1914.
The "Big Subway Gate" was constructed in 1914 by Stupp Brothers of St. Louis, MO. The gate was built on the plan of the Gatum Dam at the Panama Canal and weighs 80 tons, is 60 ft. wide, 24 ft. high and 5 ft. thick. The counter weights used to raise and lower the gate weigh almost as much as the gate itself, so that it will require only the effort of 2 men at each windless, one windless on each side of the gate, to raise the gate when it has been lowered. The cables used in the "crabs" in raising and lowering the gate are about 2 inches in thickness. On August 28, 1914, the big flood gate was given a formal test. Work began on the gate April 29th with the steel work commencing June 27th. The cost of the gate was a little more than $11,000. The gate was completed on August 23, ten days before its scheduled completion date of Sept. 1, 1914.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 23, 1914.
Location. 37° 1.292′ N, 89° 11.138′ W. Marker is in Cairo, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is on Sycamore Street (U.S. 51) 0.2 miles north of Union Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the tunnel wall on the northbound side. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cairo IL 62914, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Also see . . . Cairo Railroad Arch Bridge. Details, photographs and video of the unusual arch bridge that includes the "Big Subway Gate." (HistoricBridges.org) (Submitted on April 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 13, 2022
2. The "Big Subway Gate" Marker
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 13, 2022
3. The "Big Subway Gate" Marker
Looking north on U.S. 51 (marker can be seen under the railroad bridge)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,263 times since then and 266 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 5, 6. submitted on February 1, 2025, by Jim Fredlund of Olney, Maryland.
