Wheeling Suspension Bridge

Bridge Documented: July 4, 2006

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Documentation For This Bridge

Turning The Spotlight From The Suspension Bridge For A Moment

This is the sort of bridge that, like wooden covered bridges, I am tempted to boycott and leave off of this website because it is getting all the attention, when some of the attention should be shifted to other forms of historic bridges. However, this is a bridge whose historic significance is without compare, and as such it is an important bridge to note. Indeed, there is a sign near this bridge that says this is the most significant remaining pre-Civil War bridge in the United States! But to help me feel better about including this on the website, I feel I need to point out a major problem in Wheeling. Quite simply, the problem is Georgia Street Bridge, and more importantly the Bridgeport Bridge. While maybe not pre-Civil War bridge, these stunning metal truss bridges are indeed historically significant for their length as well as their design and age. In addition, they are among the most beautiful bridges I have ever seen. And they are both closed to traffic, with talk of demolition happening! The Bridgeport Bridge particularly, built in 1893 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio is an ornate mastery of engineering. Its complex geometric beauty formed by its Parker truss configuration, coupled with decorative finials, portals, and railings create a bridge that is a work of art. The Georgia Street Bridge is perhaps not as large and imposing as the Bridgeport Bridge, but as a pin connected Pennsylvania truss also with ornate portal decorations, it is also a remarkable work of art as well. If these two bridges could be restored, it would turn Wheeling into an unparalleled historic bridge destination, and would also allow the town to continue to be a beautiful place for residents. The Wheeling Suspension Bridge is the beginning of a preservation success story for Wheeling, but it should not be the end of the story! The demolition of either or both of Wheeling's two truss bridges would mark a huge loss for the historic bridge community, and would represent a huge loss for Wheeling.