Great Iron Bridge Across Missouri River, 100th Birthday, 1973
Entry/Object ID
L9999.999.3698
Description
Dear Bridge: Have a Happy 100th Birthday, St. Joseph News-Press, January 7, 1973. News article about the Great Iron Bridge across the Missouri River at St. Joseph, MO. Photo of the bridge taken in 1875. This bridge had a pedestrian walk as well as train tracks. Wagons used the same floor area as trains and drivers had to wait until trains cleared the bridge before they could cross the span. It also had a toll house.
The article includes a photo of the bridge rebuilt in 1910 with a fenced wagon road on the north side of the span to prevent horses from being frightened by the puffing steam locomotives.
Also is a photo of the bridge in 1973, and it is unchanged in 2013. The 365-foot draw span was rebuilt and the control house is now on the floor level of the span. The original stone piers have been encased in concrete. Most of the original iron has been replaced with steel.
Another photograph is of a 1910 postcard depiciting a house built by citizens for Jack Ring, known as the city's life saver. According to legend, Jack made his living as a commercial fisherman and the house was a tribute to his rescue work on the river.
1/News Clipping/Photograph
Lexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Bridges, Railroad bridges
Search Terms
Bridge Across Missouri River, Missouri River, Great Iron Bridge, St. Joseph History