My Corner Online
Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
We visited Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site on April 29, 2023. The bridge is located near Highway 36 between Laclede and Meadville in Linn County, Missouri. We debated going after our visit to Thousand Hills as it was a bit of a drive, but when all was done we were glad we went. It was not supposed to rain, but it ended up raining right as we got back in the truck, so the timing was perfect.
There are only four covered bridges left in Missouri and this is one of them. You must walk down a .25 mile trail and back to see the bridge which is in the middle of nowhere with no water flowing underneath it. Therefore it is at a dry creek bed. At one time the river was diverted and flows nearby. Originally Route 8 went through the bridge, but now Highway 36 transports travelers through the county.
From the parking lot, you first cross this bridge across a large creek.
I wondered what creek this bridge by the parking lot crossed and followed it for a distance on Google maps and it was never named. I zoomed out and realized that it is connected to the actually Locust Creek. Eventually it seems to be called Hickory Branch. The river used to flow under the bridge and this map allows you to visualize how it was diverted.
The short trail is very nice.
This is what the bridge looks like as you approach it.
In this photo you see the red spot under the bridge. To the right of this photo and across the bridge are two fire hydrants and hoses. I found that it was interesting that out in the middle of almost nowhere they took the effort to put fire hydrants.
In the video above I paused at each part of the signage so you can pause the video and read. Here is the main panel with much information.
In the video above on the signage review the different types of bridges and the 'X's' you see here are the Howe-truss system bridge.
I always find it fun to try to take a photo out one of the many holes in these old covered bridges. This is one I took while crossing this bridge.
This is taken after I crossed the bridge.
Back at the parking lot.