Browse Items (7714 total)

Illinois Central Bridge_04_08_1964_001.jpg
All Is Quiet . . . in most sections of the Illinois Central Railroad yard here. This picture was taken near Thirteenth Street and Avenue F.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_09_08_1979_002.jpg
Trains, like the one at top, have steamed across this bridge for nearly nine decades. It is the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad swing bridge. The Council Bluffs span was built in 1893. A second span, on the Omaha side, was built in 1904 when the…

Illinois_Central_Bridge_09_08_1979_001.jpg
Manning the entrance of one of two swing bridges in the United States is Bernardo Benavides. The Council Bluffs span was built in 1893, and the Omaha side was built later when the river changed course. Only the Council Bluffs side is used today.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_03_12_1977_003.jpg
Oiling The Gears . . . in the bridge operating house is Bernardo Benavides, 2000 Fourth Ave., who has been working on the bridge for many years. Power for the swing starts in the operating house and is transmitted to the turntables through heavy…

Illinois_Central_Bridge_03_12_1977_002.jpg
Many Wheels . . . allow the bulky swing sections to turn on the piers that rest on bedrock. Illinois Central Trainmaster John Moran explained that the weight of the 75 foot wide bridge is not known.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_03_12_1977_001.jpg
The Illinois Central Missouri River swing bridge is one of only three of its type in the United States and has been serving the railroad since 1893. The first swing span was built on the Iowa side in 1893, but a change in the river channel forced the…

Illinois_Central_Bridge_09_10_1973_001.jpg
The old Illinois Central railroad bridge on the north edge of Council Bluffs has been a swinger for nearly a century. This old photo (top) shows ladies with parasols crossing the bridge on foot. Below, a bridge tender uses the same route but for a…

Christian Home Assoc.
File #1
to 7/16/85

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_03_18_1979_007.jpg
A Bird's Eye View...of the Christian Home was painted on a postcard years ago. Most of the brick homes pictured have been removed although the Home is still on the same site near downtown Council Bluffs.

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_03_18_1979_006.jpg
The good old days. The sturdy brick dormitories of the old Christian Home dwarf the trio of little residents pictured nearby. Today's home, however, has neither the building nor the little orphans. But the vision of the founder, the Rev. J.G.…

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_04_23_1971_004.jpg
Home Executive Director David Lemen...found the cornerstone included a hand-written letter from his great-great-grandfather revealing E.C. Clapp, president of the Bank of Shelby, donated $25,000 of his parents' money for the building. Other contents…

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_12_6_1970_003.jpg
Examining Chest Of Century-Old Newspapers...found at the Christian Home is Mrs. Marvin Vinton, market research director at the Home. The newspapers were edited by the Rev. Joseph Lemen, founder of the Home.

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_3_03_1969_002.jpg
The Christian Home provides excellent service in childless couples in this area. Some persons had trouble finding the Home at 714 Avenue E, so the Home contracted for a bright new sign on the side of a downtown building. A portion of an old sign…

Christian_Home_Association_File_1_12_23_1951_001.jpg
Christian Home Chapel...on Avenue E between Seventh and Eighth streets is example of non-residential construction that helped make 1951 a record year.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_07_16_1969_006.jpg
Like The Captain Of A Ship . . . Axtell can watch the comings and goings along his stretch of the Missouri River from the observation deck near the control house. An excursion boat passes by as he watches for other traffic.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_07_16_1969_005.jpg
Opening The East Draw . . . is a noisy business as the 255-foot span swings to allow river traffic through. Here the west span remains closed. A series of gears and two motors completes the turning process.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_07_16_1969_004.jpg
Although It's Busy . . . when a boat or train comes by, many lonely hours are spent reading or just watching the river for H.J. Axtell, 1518 Avenue J, day bridge engineer. A phone is his only company.

Illinois_Central_Bridge_07_16_1969_003.jpg
Well-Worn Steps . . . are climbed by the bridge engineer before and after each bridge opening. Rails are loosened downstairs, switches pulled, and motors energized upstairs.
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