James Baughn, webmaster of the impressive Bridgehunter.com, is co-hosting the Historic Bridge Conference this coming weekend about endangered Missouri bridges, including two on Route 66.
The bridges on the Mother Road are the Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, and the Devil’s Elbow Bridge in Devil’s Elbow. The third annual conference includes driving tours on Route 66 to tour bridges and brainstorming of ways to preserve them.
Previous conferences have been held in Pennsylvania. The Bridgehunter’s Chronicles and Bridgemapper.com also are co-hosting the conference.
Here’s the schedule for the event:
Friday, Aug. 12
11 a.m.: Driving tour of downtown St. Louis bridges, starting with the Eads Bridge and ending at the Chain of Rocks Bridge.
7 p.m.: Dinner with guest speakers at Verita’s Cafe & Wine Bar in Chesterfield. Speakers include Ed Darringer, author and photographer from Indiana; Julie Bowers, bridge restoration consultant from Iowa; and Jason Smith, teacher from Germany.
Saturday, Aug. 13
9 a.m.: Get-together at the Route 66 State Park visitor center to discuss the future of the Meramec River Bridge. John Regenbogen of Scenic Missouri and Ruth Keenoy of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis will speak.
Midday: Meeting at the Enoch’s Knob Bridge in Franklin County, a steel bridge that is reputed to be “haunted” but is threatened with replacement in the near future.
Afternoon: Visit to the endangered Devil’s Elbow Bridge and other Route 66 landmarks near Waynesville.
6 p.m.: Dinner and fundraiser at Ozark to save the Riverside Bridge.
Sunday, Aug. 14
Driving tour of bridges in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.
It should be noted that the situation for the Meramec River Bridge is grave, although efforts continue in an effort to preserve it. Pulaski County officials, mindful of tourism, have been adamant about trying to find ways to repair and preserve the Devil’s Elbow Bridge.
More about the conference can be found here. A conference flyer can be downloaded here. If you wish to participate, email Baughn at webmaster(at)bridgehunter(dot)com .
