2:21 - LOL, "we just gassed up" - Yes, the gas on the Missouri side was always cheaper than the Illinois side and worth the trip across the bridge to do it. Thanks for the video. I made the north bound run around 100 one night, racing a guy into Alton. I got out, parked in front of Germania Savings Bank, and sat on the tail of the car just to rub it in when he pulled off the bridge onto Broadway. We forget that we once thought VHS was great, but it is so fuzzy compared to anything today. Still, it is all we have from then, and it does bring back memories. Thanks again.
Man I learned to drive on this bridge. The entrance was a little spicy, especially on the big curve. If you met a semi, the bridge would shimmy and shake, plus I was always afraid of getting hit by one! Of course I was finally fairly comfortable driving across when the new bridge opened! Lol
This video makes me miss the old days we lived in O'Fallon Missouri where we raised our 5 children. I never should have left we still miss it and we lost many friends over the years to death. I miss and love you Nate , owner of Quality Motorcycle in St Peter's Missouri. Nate was my race sponsor and a very close family friend. If you knew Nate give me a holler please. I know I will see him again when I die and Nate will know all the cool tracks in heaven.
I have driven across this bridge and hit mirrors with a vehicle going the other direction. I'd drive to I-270 to cross the river. Scary as Hell when snowing
I remember crossing this bridge when I was a kid. We moved away in 1976. When I found out it had been replaced, my mother said it was overdue. She talked about how if you got on in Alton, you could tell if a Big Rig got on the other end because the whole bridge would shake. I can understand why things need to be replaced, but its a shame that history must be lost in the process. Thank you for the video, and the lost memories returned
20+ years later Alton still looks the same granted I was only 8 when this bridge was demoed but in 93 was one of the few bridges that was open during the flood
I was about 6-7 years old when I crossed it on our way to our relatives house. I forgot all about this bridge. My mom had some cool stories about the Chain Of Rocks bridge.
The day after I got my learners permit my dad made me drive across this bridge then through afternoon rush hour traffic in St. Louis. It was the only time in my life my father and I shouted at each other but I have never been afraid on any road I have driven in the 30+ years since.
I crossed this bridge many times, seen many truck drivers knock there mirrors off when they hit , I also remember playing ball in the ball diamonds below the bridge. lots of memories.
The bridge was very narrow and the curve in it. Not much room with the oncoming traffic especially trucks. My dad made me drive across it when I was learning how to drive. I broke out in a sweat.
I remember hearing an interview with Ramon Gallardo, and it was on Cinco de Mayo, and he was the person who taught me that it's a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence day. That's September 16th.
I hated that bridge. It's too narrow & low guardrail. It looked like you would fall off on the curve. Every time I raced at Splinter Creek I had to cross this monster. Racing Expert Motocross seemed far safer to me.
2:21 - LOL, "we just gassed up" - Yes, the gas on the Missouri side was always cheaper than the Illinois side and worth the trip across the bridge to do it.
Thanks for the video. I made the north bound run around 100 one night, racing a guy into Alton. I got out, parked in front of Germania Savings Bank, and sat on the tail of the car just to rub it in when he pulled off the bridge onto Broadway.
We forget that we once thought VHS was great, but it is so fuzzy compared to anything today. Still, it is all we have from then, and it does bring back memories.
Thanks again.
Man I learned to drive on this bridge. The entrance was a little spicy, especially on the big curve. If you met a semi, the bridge would shimmy and shake, plus I was always afraid of getting hit by one! Of course I was finally fairly comfortable driving across when the new bridge opened! Lol
Thank you for this video - Alton high drivers Ed teacher made me drive over this bridge I was so scared !!
This video makes me miss the old days we lived in O'Fallon Missouri where we raised our 5 children. I never should have left we still miss it and we lost many friends over the years to death. I miss and love you Nate , owner of Quality Motorcycle in St Peter's Missouri. Nate was my race sponsor and a very close family friend. If you knew Nate give me a holler please. I know I will see him again when I die and Nate will know all the cool tracks in heaven.
I have driven across this bridge and hit mirrors with a vehicle going the other direction. I'd drive to I-270 to cross the river. Scary as Hell when snowing
took two trips across old Clark Bridge , Behind the Wheel class A
I also remember the toll booth on the Alton side of the bridge in the middle of the two traffic lanes,
I remember crossing this bridge when I was a kid. We moved away in 1976. When I found out it had been replaced, my mother said it was overdue. She talked about how if you got on in Alton, you could tell if a Big Rig got on the other end because the whole bridge would shake.
I can understand why things need to be replaced, but its a shame that history must be lost in the process. Thank you for the video, and the lost memories returned
20+ years later Alton still looks the same granted I was only 8 when this bridge was demoed but in 93 was one of the few bridges that was open during the flood
I was about 6-7 years old when I crossed it on our way to our relatives house. I forgot all about this bridge. My mom had some cool stories about the Chain Of Rocks bridge.
Good fishing spot beneath the bridge on the Missouri side.
I crossed it by bicycle in 1974. Once. That was enough.
We would ride across in June to buy fireworks in the 50's.
The day after I got my learners permit my dad made me drive across this bridge then through afternoon rush hour traffic in St. Louis. It was the only time in my life my father and I shouted at each other but I have never been afraid on any road I have driven in the 30+ years since.
My dad did the same.
That bridge is the twin of the former upstream champ Clark bridge in Louisiana missouri that bridge was replaced and demolished 2 years ago in 2019
I can't believe I drove on that thing after I got my license! Brought back some hair-raising memories!..lol
I crossed this bridge many times, seen many truck drivers knock there mirrors off when they hit , I also remember playing ball in the ball diamonds below the bridge. lots of memories.
Remember the Alton expose I think every September that area has changed so much
Old bridge? Guess I have been gone for quite some time. I used to ride my bike across that old bridge to buy fireworks when i was a young boy.
You're right that the 'details' get forgotten. I was stationed in NC when this was all done.
Very cool!
Old and narrow but she never failed.
The bridge was very narrow and the curve in it. Not much room with the oncoming traffic especially trucks. My dad made me drive across it when I was learning how to drive. I broke out in a sweat.
Don’t miss this bridge, but do miss Casa Gallardo
YES !!!! ME too !
I remember hearing an interview with Ramon Gallardo, and it was on Cinco de Mayo, and he was the person who taught me that it's a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence day. That's September 16th.
There was a car I remember jumped the guardrail.
I hated going across this thing. Used to terrify me as a kid.
Oh the memories
I hated that bridge. It's too narrow & low guardrail. It looked like you would fall off on the curve. Every time I raced at Splinter Creek I had to cross this monster. Racing Expert Motocross seemed far safer to me.