Name/Title
POUGHKEEPSIE BRIDGE OVER THE HUDSON RIVEREntry/Object ID
L.2012.3Description
Spanning the Hudson from Poughkeepsie to Highland, the new railroad bridge was nearly completed at the time this image was published in Scientific American. Crews labored for two years to complete the bridge, an example of cantilever truss engineering, with multiple spans. At the time this image was printed, all of the masonry and some of the steel work were completed; it shows one of the cantilever spans being completed. Just eleven months later, the first train crossed the span. At that time, the Poughkeepsie-Highland Bridge was the longest in North America. Since it was the only crossing of the river south of Albany, it quickly became a key part of the rail network along the Hudson River and beyond.
Engraving, two views of bridge construction: lower (main image), assembly of metal bridge spans over river; construction units on top prepare to connect two sections; workers on top of the bridge, on ladders and platforms within metal framework, and on barges below; bridge completed halfway across river; masonry piers in water; sailboats and steamboats on river; upper image, view of bridge from river; two separate bridge spans about to be connected; sailboats and steamboats on water; train on river's edge on left; at bottom right, printed (in image): "SCI. AM. N.Y."; at bottom center, printed: "POUGHKEEPSIE BRIDGE OVER THE HUDSON RIVER--COMPLETING ONE OF THE MAIN SPANS.--[See page 70.]"; at top center, printed: " SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN", " NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 4, 1888."; verso, a print.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
UnknownAttribution
ArtistManufacturer
Scientific AmericanDate made
Feb 4, 1888Other Names
Name Type
Other TitleOther Name
POUGHKEEPSIE BRIDGE OVER THE HUDSON RIVER--COMPLETING ONE OF THE MAIN SPANS.Dimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
15-9/16 inWidth
10-3/4 inDimension Notes
Display Dimensions: 15 9/16 x 10 3/4 in. (39.5 x 27.3 cm)Condition
Notes
Remarks: Paper yellowed, minor loss at bottom left corner; tears: at middle right edge and at bottom edge at 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 inches from left; paper unevenly cut.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
William DieboldNotes
Former ownerGeneral Notes
Note Type
Curatorial RemarksNote
This object was accessioned in 2012, but it was acquired earlier [Jessa J. Krick, 4/12/2012].Note Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Administrative Office, Archive Room, Shelf O3, B7Note Type
DepartmentNote
Library