Indian Ford Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Indian Ford Bridge was one of nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County, Illinois
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This particular one was located along Illinois Route 20 as it passes in and around London Mills
. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on October 29, 1980, along with the eight other bridges, as one of the "Metal Highway Bridges of Fulton County
." Some of the other bridges included London Mill's only other Registered Historic Place, the now demolished London Mills Bridge
. Other demolished bridges include the Elrod Bridge
, Duncan Mills Bridge
and Buckeye Bridge
.
Indian Ford Bridge is one of the five bridges submitted under the Fulton County Metal Highway Bridges Multiple Property Submission to have been demolished since its inclusion on the Register.
Indian Ford was a crossing of the Spoon River named by Job Babbit, an early Fulton County pioneer who helped survey a road from Farmington to Burlington in 1835 and named Union Township. According to Chapman's History of Fulton County (p. 886), Babbit discovered, where the road crossed the river, a trough made from an elm log that was fastened to the fork of a tree. It contained the skeletal remains of an American Indian.
Fulton County, Illinois
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This particular one was located along Illinois Route 20 as it passes in and around London Mills
London Mills, Illinois
London Mills is a village in Fulton and Knox counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 447 at the 2000 census.The Fulton County portion of London Mills is part of the Canton Micropolitan Statistical Area and the wider Peoria Consolidated Statistical Area, while the Knox County...
. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 29, 1980, along with the eight other bridges, as one of the "Metal Highway Bridges of Fulton County
Metal Highway Bridges of Fulton County Thematic Resources
The Metal Highway Bridges of Fulton County Thematic Resources is the title for a Multiple Property Submission to the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S. state of Illinois...
." Some of the other bridges included London Mill's only other Registered Historic Place, the now demolished London Mills Bridge
London Mills Bridge
The London Mills Bridge was one of nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County, Illinois listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This particular one was located along Illinois Route 39 as it passes in and around London Mills...
. Other demolished bridges include the Elrod Bridge
Elrod Bridge
Elrod Bridge was one of nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County, Illinois once listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed from 1980 until 1995....
, Duncan Mills Bridge
Duncan Mills Bridge
The Duncan Mills Bridge was one of nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County, Illinois nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. This particular one was located along west of Havana, Illinois near Lewistown...
and Buckeye Bridge
Buckeye Bridge
Buckeye Bridge also known as White's Ferry Bridge was one of nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County, Illinois once listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buckeye is one of the five bridges that have been demolished out of nine similar bridges in the county. This particular one was...
.
Indian Ford Bridge is one of the five bridges submitted under the Fulton County Metal Highway Bridges Multiple Property Submission to have been demolished since its inclusion on the Register.
Indian Ford was a crossing of the Spoon River named by Job Babbit, an early Fulton County pioneer who helped survey a road from Farmington to Burlington in 1835 and named Union Township. According to Chapman's History of Fulton County (p. 886), Babbit discovered, where the road crossed the river, a trough made from an elm log that was fastened to the fork of a tree. It contained the skeletal remains of an American Indian.