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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
The People’s Bridge
Vehicular Era - 1889 to 1972
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By Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008 | |
| | | 1. The People's Bridge Marker | | |
Inscription. Now the oldest bridge across the Susquehanna River, the People's Bridge was constructed in 1889 utilizing the Baltimore Truss and Phoenix Column in its innovative cast-iron design. It was erected by the People's Bridge Company, organized by the renowned Harrisburg civic leader E.Z. Wallower, as a low-cost alternative to the nearby Camelback Bridge (replaced by the current Market Street Bridge) which has enjoyed a monopoly in fare-paying bridge traffic since 1816. Carrying horse-drawn vehicles, electric streetcars and eventually automobiles, for which affordable tolls were charged until 1956, the People's Bridge remained a major traffic thoroughfare between East and West Shores until 1972, when it was severely weakened by the Hurricane Agnes Flood, and closed to traffic. It is a pedestrian and cycling link today.
Location. 40° 15.542′ N, 76° 53.064′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Street and N. Front Street on Walnut Street. Click for map. Plaque is on the south side of the bridge. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walnut Street Bridge (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The People’s Bridge (a few steps from this marker); James McCormick Mansion (a few steps from this marker); Swenson Plaza Flood Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrisburg Public Library Dauphin County Library System (within shouting distance of this marker); Governors’ Row (within shouting distance of this marker); The Calder/Olmsted/McCormick Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Camelback and Market Street Bridges (about 300 feet away, in a direct line). Click for a list of all markers in Harrisburg. |
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By Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008 | |
| | | 2. The People's Bridge. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,404 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
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