This mile long bridge has spanned the Mississippi River since the 1920's. In 1936 it officially…read morebecame part of Rt. 66. In 1966 the bridge was closed to all traffic when Rt.270 opened nearby. It reopened in 1999 to pedestrians and bicycles as part of the Great Rivers Greenway. At one mile it's easy enough to walk from one end to the other and back again. The deck is well maintained and although the metal trusses are rusty, they are plenty sturdy. In 1929 when the bridge opened it spanned a dangerous rocky shoal which is where it gets it's name. At present the water level is too high to see the rocks. Although the original design went straight across the river, boatment complained that navigating both the nearby water towers and the bridge piers at the same time was too dangerous. The design was altered to include a turn allowing boatmen to navigate around one thing at a time. Info on the bridge states the reason for the bend is the bridge needed surer footing and has a 22° turn. The Nat'l park states a 30° turn. NPS tells one tale and the Greenway another. I'll let you be the judge: https://www.nps.gov/places/chain-of-rocks-bridge.htm We began our journey on the IL side of the bridge. Midway through the bridge are informational signs about the river. Plaques on the guardrail name donators who support the bridge upkeep. There are also two view finders, one with a handicap accessible ramp on the south side of the bridge. The IL entrance is on Chouteau Island. This island appears to have been created when a barge canal was dug. You can also access the Army Corp of Engineers dam park nearby. A motor bridge over the canal now has a bike lane making the bridge one direction at a time. Pull up close to trigger the red light to gain bridge access. The island has a trail system map at the bridge entrance. I noticed a memorial plaque and looked up the information online. If interested I have attached the wiki link to the plaque photo. A viewing platform, bicycle rack and two benches have also been added to the bridge. The MO end of the bridge has informational signs about the river and the greenway. There is also a small open air pavillion and trash bins. This bridge is listed on a number of Historic Rt.66 websites. A sign on the IL end of the bridge lists other Historic Rt.66 sites in IL. We found this site to be informational with lovely views of the MS River and you can see the Gateway Arch to the SW. Parking is in a paved lot. Walking the bridge is a nice stretch of the legs and is wheelchair accessible. Even at 22°f it was a good stop.

The NEW Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in originally constructed in 1966 to replace the OLD Chain…read moreof Rocks Bridge and to carry I-270 over the Mississippi River. It is a simple beam style bridge with no particular architectural or design elements. A NEWER New Chain of Rocks Bridge is currently being constructed by the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation. The newer bridge is a twin span with improved safety features like wider shoulders. I think it will still be called the NEW Chain of Rovks Bridge but, personally, I think it should be called the NEWEST bridge.

I don't get why we have cops and I am a Republican. 90%of you just sit and try to catch speeders…read morewhich really, who are they hurting except the liberal Toyota and Subaru driver that sit in the left lane and drive less than the speed limit. But you never see them pulled over for impeding traffic. Then when you call a cop for an actual problem, like 6 of them show up and only one actually does something. And then a hour later they all leave with to my knowledge, nothing resolved. I think I would rather have that overly fat/ partially dork hall monitor from high school show up and help me. At least they take better notes and have some results. But I guess we pay cops just to shoot poor people and people they don't trust so I see why they are in St. Louis

Helped me find my car after it was stolen. I don't remember the officers but thank you. Super…read moresupportive and helpful.

No matter what you've heard, bc I KNOW majority of you have never visited on your own terms, East…read moreSt. Louis is a gem. Granted, there's parts of it that's a shell of itself, but what urban area isn't. My BF's family is from EStL and surrounding areas, so I visit frequently. Contrary to what people think, it's actually not much going on on that side. The South End, Alorton and Bond Ave. are relatively quiet. I've read articles and been apart of conversation about renovations and gentrification concerning the metro east. I really hope it happens, bc a lot of estl residents have to go 30 minutes out their way for quality produce and pharmacies. They deserve opportunity and convenience just like the citizens of the metropolitan area of stl. There's so much character across the bridge. Many historic buildings, mansions and homes just need some preservation and tlc. Downtown East St. Louis, especially, could once again be the prize of town. I just hope the lot of you, like I have, can block out the negativity and look beyond the perception.

My friend and I decided to be "adventurous" and drive to Illinois, which is merely over the…read moreMississippi. Sweet Jesus, what a GEM. I'm giving this place 4 stars because we earned street cred from the locals when we casually mentioned that we spent some time in ESTL. -1 star because I spent most of the time praying that the car wouldn't break down and we wouldn't get shot/raped/killed.

A beautiful building! I've been here two years in a row for the Ellis J. Shaw Day of Opportunities,…read morean educational scholarship event about postsecondary planning. This year, there were several colleges and community organizations tabling; 3 presentations about scholarship searching and financial planning; plus a panel of last year's scholarship recipients. There was SO much good information, and 4 people won $500 scholarships! This event is every November. The building is a perfect space for it, with plenty of space in the hallways for the vendors who are tabling, and seating in the council chambers for the presentations. All of the offices are closed when I've been here, because the event is on a weekend , but there is information out about upcoming events and local offerings (see picture).

Gorgeous new building! Glass and marble entrance. Truly and grand entrance. Glass walls in all…read moreoffices. Very active Parks and Recreation department.

Part of Governor Bates trail. 2nd Governor of Missouri…read more I did about 3 miles on beautiful, hilly and well marked trails.

In all my years of living in St. Louis and the many times that I have visited Faust Park, i never…read morerealized that this historic homestead existed. As a lover of history this place is magnificent. Thornhill Historic Site is the farm of Missouri's second governor, Frederick Bates. This site is at Faust Park and includes the home, barn, summer kitchen, ice and smoke house, orchard and herb garden and family cemetery. It is the oldest standing governor's residence in Missouri. http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/Faust/Thornhill

I wonder how some of the eateries here pass a health dept inspection. Light covers missing off all…read morethe ceilings light over the food prep areas. Chicken served at temps that will make you ill. Tea dispensers never taken apart and cleaned. The list goes on and on. Eating or drinking out here you are rolling the dice. What does their health department do ?

I initially contacted the Jefferson County Health Department to inquire about the COVID…read moreVaccination. I was frustrated when I was transferred to a voicemail and had to wait for someone to return my call. I am a very impatient person, so this was quite the annoyance. To my surprise, I received a call back within an hour from Tara Garrow. Not only was she helpful, but she answered all questions I had! It is often said that you can tell if someone is smiling over the phone when they speak..... well she was smiling and was one of the most helpful and pleasant young ladies I have spoken to in quite some time. When I received a call about scheduling the vaccine, I had the pleasure of speaking wiht Ms. Garrow for a second time. Let me say she was just as pleasant and helpful as she was initially. Amazing work Ms. Garrow! Amazing Work! Sincerely, Grateful Jefferson County Resident