That Bridge

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That Bridge – Joliet

Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 


 

Playing tribute to photographer Mark Hirsch’s “That Tree” project, which was later made into a book. I had to revisit what was my first long term attempt at documenting a single subject, the old Rock Island Line bridge, over the south end of the DesPlaines River in Joliet, Illinois.

I guess if you look at my Lost Americana documentary it’s fairly easy to see what type of subject matters interest me. So while this has very little to do with rural America and even 20 years later this bridge is still far from being abandoned, it does fit a theme in my work. And I kin of consider it as the beginning of my Lost Americana work. The majority of these images were taken over the winter & spring of 1996 for Photography I & Darkroom I, which was all black & white. Obviously they were all shot on film and most, if not all of them were developed by me personally.

I’d like to say a quick thank you to fellow Jolietian & Joliet Catholic grad Brian Udovich. If you hadn’t mentioned wanting to see these, I don’t know if I ever would have had more than 4 or 5 of them digitally scanned. Now I have about 150, or most of the good stuff from about 12 rolls of film. So if you like these there will be more to come. Just click the “That Bridge” link in categories.

 

The last of the Joliet Police cars with the double blue lines on them. Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
A view looking south from the Jefferson Street bridge. Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Just outside the control house. Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Built in 1930. Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com
Had to include a photo of my alma-mater Joliet Catholic High School. Will the last man out remember to turn on the light . Photos of the old Rock Island train bridge over the south end of the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois. 

Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

  1. Diane (Policandriotes) Goldsmith

    I was born and raised in Joliet. I remember that bridge. Unbelievable it is still standing. Awesome pictures. Thank You.

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