A wooden bridge was built in 1909 over the Cairo, Vincennes and Chicago Railway after the main line was moved from downtown to this location about 1906 to provide a level roadbed. The original bridge was approximately 180 feet long, with a main span of 54 feet, and it was reconstructed in 1950. In later years, this railroad line through St. F. was operated by Big Four, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis RR, New York Central, Penn Central, Conrail, and Prairie Central Railway. The last passenger train ran in 1957, the right of way was abandoned in 1984, and the rails were then removed.