Algoa Railroad Bridge

Here are two old, undated photos of the bridge, each of which is in very poor condition. Handwritten on the back of each print is the following: "Morrow River Bridge near Jefferson City, Mo."

Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.

I retired as Sheriff of Cole County in 2004 after 32 years with the Cole County Sheriff's Office. During that time, the Algoa Road Railroad Bridge was the scene of several deaths due to people trying to walk across the bridge when trains came through or jumping from the bridge into the shallow river. One jonboat hit the bridge abutment, killing a passenger.

When inmates escaped from nearby Algoa Reformatory, correctional officers were posted on the bridge with shotguns. We caught quite a few inmates through the years as they tried to cross the bridge.

It's nickname is "STINK BRIDGE" due to the fact that the Central Rendering Company had a rendering plant at the west end of the bridge. Rotting carcasses and parts of cattle, sheep, and hogs were the source of noxious odors.

During the years, we recovered many stolen items - mostly cars and vending machines. Generations of kids have used the bridge for parties and as a night-time gathering place away from the eyes of parents. The Moreau River runs into the Missouri River within a short distance of this bridge.