Clemons was not released, however, as he was also sentenced to fifteen years for a 2007 attack on a correctional officer. Cummins was then robbed by the men of his belongings. Daniel Winfrey, who accepted the plea bargain for thirty years, was eventually paroled and then returned to prison for parole violations. For more than three decades, the bridge was a significant landmark for travelers driving Route 66. | Law and order | stltoday.com. In 2017 DNA evidence proved he was an active participant in the crimes. I would highly recommend taking the time to walk across, the view is fantastic. * Of all the times I've crossed the I-270 bridge and seen this aged Queen of the River Crossings just to the south, this was my first time to bike across it. The body of Julie Kerry was found three weeks later near Caruthersville, Missouri; the body of Robin Kerry was not found. After being awake more than twenty-four hours, surviving a brutal attack, withstanding the unforgiving current of the river, and being emotionally assaulted by law enforcement, Tom Cummins was giving up all hope of being believed. Mississippi Greenway: Chain of Rocks Park Gray, Richardson, and Clemons then alternately raped Robin and Julie. (Currier, 2018). " Apr 2023 Very cool piece of history. The bridge is open to bikers and pedestrians daily. On the Missouri side will find barricaded. Great views of the waterway, midways down the bridge. AllTrails | Old Chain of Rocks Bridge: 138 Reviews, Map - Illinois The road ends at the east entrance to the bridge. One stop shop for Frozen Yogurt, Fro-yo Cakes and Fruit Smoothies! Sad Sad Sad. [7] In 1966, the New Chain of Rocks Bridge was built immediately to the bridge's north in order to carry I-270; the Chain of Rocks Bridge was subsequently closed on February 25, 1970. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was part of the renowned Route 66 and crosses a scenic stretch of the Mississippi River. Riverboat men protested the planned bridge because it was to run near two water intake towers for the Chain of Rocks pumping station. There are other trails nearby. The two girls also had an older and younger sister. However, Reggie had since recanted his confession, claiming police brutality caused him to give the confession (State V. Clemons, 1997). Many good choices hereAppleTree is great home-cooked meals on your left at stop light. Add to that the Eagle Points Trail along the shipping canal, right here on the east side of Chouteau Island. Despite being exhausted to the point of falling asleep between questions, he was given a polygraph test. I understand due to cars being damaged, broken into & items missing, cars being stolen, drug deals going on Missouri side, my understanding this is why closed. The highlight for me was crossing Chain of Rocks Bridge. The bridge had beautifully landscaped approaches. Fast forward to present day. However, he tended to be a follower (Cummins, 2004). Its not going to bring my daughters back. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. on Chouteau Island (Madison, IL) and St. Louis Riverfront Trail at Riverview Dr. (St. Louis, MO). Merchants Bridge: The new Mississippi bridge will cross just south of it, at the foot of Cass Avenue. Cummins was initially charged with murder but released due to lack of evidence. The test measures such things as changes in blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and perspiration to detect deception. (2015) Murder Isnt Black or White; The New York Times; Retrieved at: Opinion | Murder Isnt Black or White - The New York Times (nytimes.com), Hartman, R. (2001) Theyve got the wrong martyr; River Front Times; Retrieved at: They've Got the Wrong Martyr | Hartmann | St. Louis | St. Louis News and Events | Riverfront Times, Clemons V. Larkin (2015) Supreme Court of Missouri; Retrieved at: Read the Supreme Court opinion vacating Reginald Clemons' convictions and death sentences | | stltoday.com, Find a Grave (Accessed 2021) Julie Ann Kerry; Retrieved at: Julie Ann Kerry (1970-1991) - Find A Grave Memorial, Hernon, P (2001) Kerry Sisters Remembered as Crusaders for Justice; St. Louis Post Dispatch; Retrieved at: Kerry Sisters - Newspapers.com, Kohler, J. Get down on the ground." These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge | Illinois Trails | TrailLink On January 27th, 1972, her younger sister Robin was born. The entrance to this bridge is closed from the Missouri side! (Murderpedia) DNA evidence from the condom found at the scene would later link Gray to the rape of the Kerry sisters. The murder of Julie and Robin Kerry was the subject of a 2005 episode of American Justice entitled "The Bridge Murders". A massive undertaking in its day, the Chain of Rocks Bridge had a projected cost of $1,250,000. The two implicated men further implicated a fourth person, Daniel Winfrey. Louis United States Missouri, 2021. 1967 (Murderpedia) Marlin was described as being charismatic and charming (Cummins, 2004). (Donald, 2017). My girlfriend and I paired it with the St. Louis River Front Trail for a 24+ mile round trip ride. Reminiscing about old times within the past five years, I remembered the old bridge and looked it up. Go across the bridge and take the Riverfront Trail to the new trail across the McKinley Bridge. During this time, the bridge developed a reputation for crime and violence, including the April 1991 murder of sisters Julie and Robin Kerry. At one point (to avoid the water treatment plant) the trail crosses Riverside Drive and it is rather steep through the woods but otherwise the trail is rather flat and paved. (Murderpedia). There are a few times of the year that they open for events and have security on the Missouri side. Gray's version of the events was very different. From the acquisition of a U.S. Army service and logistics center, to the construction of a $50 million inter . From every source Ive found, Thomas Cummins was eager to save his cousins and provide any information the authorities needed. 27, also called Chain of Rocks Dam, and Locks No. Two ways to access the marker: 1) the best way to access the marker is from the Illinois side. Parking is available at the start of the now-pedestrian route. I could not find an article about the parole hearing, but to the best of my research Clemons remains in prison. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. The three were then ordered to stand on the concrete pier below the bridge. The water intake towers. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Hours of Operation & Parking That same day, the Supreme Court of the United States denied his motions to stay his execution. The bridge deteriorated, and during the 1970s, Army demolition teams considered blowing it up just for practice. He implicated his cousin, Reginald Clemons, and another man, Marlin Gray in the crime. more, 90 minutes St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour, BBQ & Bullets at Indoor Shooting Range in St. Louis, Historic Lafayette Square Shared Walking Tour, True Crime Walking Tour in Soulard Neighbourhood, Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, IL, Walking Tour of the Saint Louis Fascinating History, Best of St. Louis Small Group Tour w/St Louis Arch & River Cruise, KATY Self-Guided Tours 6-days from Clinton to St. Charles. Parking is not advised at the Missouri trail end. On April 4th, 1991, Julie and Robin wanted to take their nineteen-year-old cousin Thomas Cummins to see a poem they had written on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in graffiti. Just south of the bridge is a stretch of rocky rapids that made this segment of the river difficult to navigate. The area still seemed a little sketchy as its so isolated but there was a volunteer who seemed to be patrolling the area (not sure if that was just the day we were there or if they always have one). Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The old route to the bridge is now called Chain of Rocks Road and ends near Roman Road. Fortunately, the public got its moneys worth. However, evidence was presented that he was in possession of Thomas Cummins watch after the crime and told friends he committed the murders (Cummins, 2004). Marlin Gray was born September 26th. Cummins, J. Missouri Side of Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Gets a Facelift This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The police did not believe Thomas Cummins could have survived the fall, stating it was ninety feet, without more serious injuries (Cummins, 2004). He grew up as the middle son of three boys to a single mother. The bridge has. This was the case for Tom Cummins according to A Rip From Heaven, which led Thomas Cummins to fail his polygraph examination. The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was part of the renowned Route 66 and crosses a scenic stretch of the Mississippi River. During icy conditions, the bridge may not open. The Remarkable Bridge In Missouri That Everyone Should Visit At Least Once Prosecutors presented new evidence that proved Gray was on the bridge during the crimes. The two girls also had an older and younger sister. This view also gets you a full length view of the bridge. Fortunately for the bridge, a bad market saved the day. Here are a few more Missouri bridges to check out: What are the best haunted places in Missouri? Gray also made no last meal request and gave no instructions for the disposal of his body. [8], For nearly three decades the fate of the bridge was uncertain, though demolition seemed its most likely end. Robin and Julie Kerry could have changed the world, had they had the chance. (Cummins, 2004). (Cummins, 2004). I'll admit, I totally thought it was the first bridge you come to that has the traffic light to determine which side can drive across. Nevertheless, Richardsons execution was eventually commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2003 (Murderpedia). They have the parking lot barricaded due to a lot of cars getting broken into. Despite this, some people continue to believe that Thomas Cummins was the assailant and the four convicted were innocent and a target of a racial police force. Against all odds, Tom was able to make it to the Missouri bank a few miles down from the bridge. When the District Attorneys office was presented the case the following day, however, they declined to arraign Mr. Cummins and told investigators to cut him loose due to lack of evidence (Cummins, 2004). If you end up here keep driving down because theres a better parking lot right at the entrance. Floods and ice slowed the work, and the Chain of Rocks Bridge finally opened to traffic in July of 1929. The two Kerry sisters then were pushed, and Cummins jumped as instructed. However, in that parking area, there were several junky cars with people sitting in them and cases of empty beer cans/bottles. The bridge reopened in 1999, and the organization managed it under a long-term lease from the City of Madison, Illinois. (Cummins V. Robe). Its hard to forget a 30-degree turn midway across a mile-long bridge more than 60 feet above the mighty Mississippi. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. That all changed on the night of April 4th, 1991. Would be a wonderful place to bike. In Illinois, travel a short distance east on Chain of Rocks Road to reach the Eagle Points Trail and Madison County Transit Confluence Trail. Back in 1929, at the time of the construction of the bridge, the Chain was a serious concern for boatmen. He complied and jumped into the river. Plans called for a four-mile fill along the road leading to the bridges north end. They are working on improving the St. Louis side. Daniel Winfrey confessed to police the entire chain of events including the rapes and murders of the girls but denied participation in the rapes. Another road, just over the canal, takes you down to a fishing spot (Riverside Park) where you can get great photos of the small falls on the Mississippi (which necessitates the canal). However, he told authorities that he and two other men were on the bridge that night. The final night of this visit would prove tragic and life changing for the family. [4] Because of a low-water dam built by the Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, little of the Chain of Rocks is visible today except during extreme low water conditions. As stated by others, the Missouri side parking lot is inaccessible. I found no evidence that this occurred. The bridge is a great part of Rt.66 history.Our car and a group of people from China both had our cars broken into.I am not sure that either side would have prevented it from happening as there were 3 men on four wheelers that crossed the bridge and back that seemed up to no good.Go in a group and leave a guard at the cars.It is a shame that this place can't be cleaned up for the visitors that come from around the world to see it. Plan a Missouri Getaway to a Cabin, Villa or Treehouse. Some of the most haunted places in Missouri are also abandoned. [Photo of Robin Kerry (left) and Julie Kerry (right) from St. Louis Post Dispatch]. A notice on the official bridge website says "Access to the bridge from the Missouri side is CLOSED due to severe issues with car vandalism." (Cummins, 2004). This most rocky spot of the river is where St Louis built their 1st water intake in 1915. 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