Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
First and Second Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
1. First and Second Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River Marker
18561892
Designed by James Mulvey. Built by Robert Reed
Two-Arch Stone Bridge Second Bridge at Main Street
18921931
Designed by James Mulvey. Built by Robert C. Morrison
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 41° 46.263′ N, 88° 8.972′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Main Street east of Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the east side of the Main Street Bridge over the West Branch of the DuPage River, on the south end. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Third and Fourth Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillars of the Community: West Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillars of the Community East Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillars of the Community Center Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry and Eva White Plaza
this page online
More about this marker. The marker includes an engraved image of the two bridges. Another similarly designed marker on the northwest side of the bridge shows the third and fourth bridges; the fourth is the current crossing over the river.
Regarding First and Second Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River. James Mulvey, the architect of the two bridges, also designed the historic Martin Mitchell House, a landmark home that still stands today on the Naper Settlement property.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
2. First and Second Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
3. View of the Main Street Bridge from the Naperville Riverwalk
Ruger & Stoner, courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1869
4. "Birds-eye view" of Naperville, circa 1869
The first Washington Street bridge, with its four arches, can be seen in this 1869 "birds-eye view" map of Naperville.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on September 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
