First Mississippi River Bridge (Davenport, Iowa)

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This was the location of the first bridge built across the Mississippi River, which officially opened on April 22, 1856. It connected the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad in Illinois with the Missouri and Mississippi Railroad in Iowa. The two railroads merged to become the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1866, and reached Council Bluffs during May 1869.
www.mvr.usace.army.mil/rockislandhistory/govtbridge.htm

The bridge was constructed across the narrowest point of the Rock Island rapids. The Steamboat Packet companies operating on the river viewed this bridge as a threat to their business as well as a navigational hazard. This resulted in a lawsuit involving the steamer Effie Afton and attorney Abraham Lincoln.
tinyurl.com/4n486o

The bridge was abandoned following the opening of a replacement in November of 1872. It was at a new location downriver on the western tip of Arsenal Island, site of the present Government Bridge.
www.johnweeks.com/upper_mississippi/pagesB/umissB06.htm...

Railroad bridges were built at 56 locations to cross the Mississippi River,
and 36 of these crossings are still in use by freight railroads.
www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/535712/ShowPost.aspx