Old Appleton still seeks to replace lost bridge

Recent history has not been kind to Old Appleton.

For 103 years, an iron truss bridge stretched over Apple Creek in the heart of this town, half of which lies in Cape Girardeau County and the other in Perry. Then, in 1982, the quiet swimming and fishing hole raged in a flash. The surging swell twisted the red bridge off its base and carried it downstream.

The Missouri Department of Transportation had long ago provided another route across the water, just a few hundred feet away over U.S. 61, so there was no transportation emergency. But when Apple Creek swept away the old bridge, it also carried off part of the town's history, a part of the town that connected neighbors in more ways than one.

The residents scrambled to collect the wreckage.

Piece by piece, they began to put one of the trusses back together again, sending some beams off to St. Louis to be twisted back into shape. For the next few years, the bridge's caretakers made consistent progress.

But Mother Nature wasn't finished with Old Appleton.

Four years after catastrophe No. 1, the great flash flood of 1986 washed away the 162-year-old McClane Mill, a red, four-story, post-card trademark that made Old Appleton almost famous.

The mill crashed downstream and was damaged beyond repair, but there was still hope for the bridge, thought to be Missouri's oldest iron bridge in its original location.

A bridge restoration committee continued to piece the old bridge together and tried to raise money. Local businesses and corporations donated equipment and cash. The committee even secured hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal government.

'Wait till next year'

Like hopeful Chicago Cubs fans, the committee and residents of the town adopted a "wait till next year" mantra, sure that the project's completion was just around the corner.

Some 22 years after the bridge was washed away, the road still stops in the middle of Old Appleton.

Large boulders have been stacked where the bridge approach used to be. The large rocks serve a real purpose, to keep vehicles from driving into the creek, but the stones have also served as metaphors of the bridge's progress. One dead end after another.

The two naked piers remain where they've always been, in the middle of the creek. But on the opposite shore, a weary-looking iron span has aged gracelessly. Grass has grown tall around its base. The red paint has faded to pink.

But there are stubborn folks in Old Appleton, people who refuse to let the bridge die. Art Dellamano is one of those people.

Once sure, now optimistic

The Dellamanos own the property on the Perry County side of the creek. The family, including Art's wife, Rene, and their son, Jan, have been the heart of the bridge restoration committee. Jan was perhaps the top laborer on the bridge until he moved out of the area.

About a week ago, the committee started seeking construction bids for the project.

For the third time.

Art Dellamano doesn't speak with the same confidence he once did. After 22 years and of trying, and two failed attempts for bids, sureness has degraded to optimism.

The first time the committee sought bids, no one responded.

The second time, only one contractor bid on the project. And it was for much more than the committee could afford.

"We had a fella from Scott City pick up a set of plans the other day," Dellamano said. "It cost him $55 just to do that. So I think he was serious about it."

Mark Birchler is serious, too.

Birchler is an engineer from St. Louis who is also on the bridge restoration committee. Many years ago, when Birchler was a college student, he was introduced to Old Appleton and the bridge and the mill. He admired the place. Years later, when the bridge and mill were still standing, he came back through the area and paid Dellamano a visit. He handed the Dellamano a business card and told him if he ever needed engineering help to give him a call.

A few years later, in 1982, that call came. Old Appleton needed Birchler's help.

Birchler has helped guide the committee through the twisted iron and the government's red tape.

Now, the committee is seeking not one, but several bids.

"The first time we had no bidders," he said. "Everybody said it was too weird for them. This is a very, very unusual project."

Broken into parts

The committee has broken the project down into several parts: a base bid to finish the iron work and the two other spans that need repaired; raise the piers out of the 100-year flood plain, repair some leakage in the dam, paint and finish the woodwork.

Birch said the project may cost more than what the committee has in-hand right now. But it would be better to go ahead and get some of the work done then try to raise more funds, he said.

"We need to show some progress," he said.

Dellamano figures once some progress becomes visible, the public will become excited about the project again and donate more funds.

Last year, the federal government bumped up its contribution to $600,000 with a local match of 20 percent. The government's contribution from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act started at $200,000 in 1998.

The bridge was built in 1879 for $2,500.

Clara Blechle, who lives on the opposite side of the creek from the Dellamanos, said she'd like to see the old bridge come back. It will never be used for automobiles again, but perhaps for walking, bicycles and horses. That would suit Blechle just fine.

"That old bridge has been here forever," she said. "We always walked down and across to the people on the other side."

For Dellamano, and for many others, the bridge has become more than a pedestrian means. The bridge is a connection to the past, days where a mule used to sit down and drink beer with the men at the old brewery; when children used to swing from ropes into the river; when this bridge was the only connection from Perry to Cape Girardeau County. The Dellamanos have renovated a barn, which used to be where they'd store the mill's wagons, into a pottery and craft place. Much of the decor is dedicated to the past of this spot at Apple Creek.

Dellamano would like to see the bridge restored. He'd like to see the area surrounding the bridge become a park with picnic tables, hiking trails perhaps. He wants to see the history celebrated.

The Rev. Walter Keisker was on the bridge committee even after he was 100 years old. Dellamano wanted to get the bridge restored in time for the Lutheran priest to see it. Keisker died at 104.

Rene Dellamano suffered a stroke not long ago, and Art looks after her.

Art Dellamano is still a spry man. He's likable and is one heck of a storyteller. But his wrinkles, his hearing aids and the failing health of friends and relatives are reminders that he's not getting any younger.

He hopes, after 22 years of work, Old Appleton's unfortunate events will turn around.

He hopes he can walk across the old Apple Creek bridge before he reaches the other side.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635