Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Symbol of Spokane

The Monroe Street Bridge

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

1. Symbol of Spokane Marker

Inscription. • Total length: 965 feet
• Central arch span: 281 feet
• Side arch spans: 120 feet
• Height (at railing): 136 feet
• Cost: $535,000 (half went to labor)
Completed in 1911, the grand triple-arched Monroe Street Bridge stands as a symbol of the City of Spokane. In design and construction, it reflects the pride, ambition, and nostalgia of a booming western city.

The design process for the new bridge began in 1909. After considerable debate, city officials had settled on concrete as the material of choice. City engineer J.C. Ralston designed the bridge and later supervised its construction. Unlike previous bridges at this location, it would have a central arch that completely spanned the Spokane River, eliminating the need for a central supporting pier. It was an ambitious goal, and an arduous task. Laborers hired by the city dangled above the rapids on towers and cables, working to demolish the old steel bridge and build cribbing for the new one.

Shortly after demolition began, fill on the south bank failed, leading to the collapse of a large section of the old bridge. During construction, a violent wind-storm destroyed weeks' worth of labor on the central arch. Despite setbacks, however, the new bridge was completed and dedicated in 1911. It was a concrete structure like few others in

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the United States at the time — its central arch, spanning 281 feet was the third longest unsupported concrete arch in the world.

“This bridge should stand as long as some of those bridges built by the Romans, which are just as good today as the day they were built,” suggested W.J. Hindley, mayor of Spokane, at the bridge dedication in 1911.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 47° 39.591′ N, 117° 25.541′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. Marker is on West Spokane Falls Boulevard west of North Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking the subject Monroe Street Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spokane WA 99201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Bridges (a few steps from this marker); Monroe Street Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Spokane River (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Monroe Bridge (about 500 feet away); City Hall (about 500 feet away); John Robert Monaghan (about 500 feet away); Thomas S. Foley United States Courthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

Regarding Symbol of Spokane.

Marker detail: Bridge Construction Trestle image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Bridge Construction Trestle

A complex wooden trestle was built for the construction of the new concrete bridge. In the photograph above the man standing at the top of the trestle arch puts the size of this construction project into perspective!
Courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, Washington, (L94-9.131) (This photo is also the marker background image).

National Register of Historic Places #76001920.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Monroe Street Bridge

Also see . . . Monroe Street Bridge. Today’s Monroe Street Bridge is the third bridge on this site. The first Monroe Street Bridge was constructed of wood and built with horses and wagons in mind. A new Monroe Street Bridge constructed of steel was completed in 1890. It was immediately apparent that the bridge vibrated heavily, perhaps dangerously, with any sort of traffic. Today’s Monroe Street Bridge opened November 23, 1911 with over 3,000 Spokane citizens on hand to celebrate. It was the world’s largest concrete arch-bridge. (Submitted on April 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Union Pacific Railroad Trestle image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Union Pacific Railroad Trestle

Residents of Spokane, proud as they were of their grand new bridge, had to wait nearly 60 years to view it unobstructed. In 1914, the Union Pacific Railroad built a trestle across and above it. This trestle was not removed until 1973 for the World Fair.
Courtesy of the Teakle Collection, Northwest Room, Spokane Public Library (92.584)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

4. Symbol of Spokane Marker

(Monroe Street Bridge in background)

Monroe Street Bridge detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

5. Monroe Street Bridge detail

Architect Kirtland Cutter designed the bridge's details to reflect the city's pride in its pioneer history. Western decorative motifs, including chain-shaped ornamentation on the concrete railings, four "covered wagon"-shaped pavilions — adorned with cast-concrete skulls — line the roadway.

Monroe Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

6. Monroe Street Bridge

When completed, the 281-foot central span of the Monroe Street Bridge was the longest in the United States — beating out the 280-foot Rocky River Bridge in Cleveland (built in 1908) by one foot. It was claimed that engineers had added the extra foot to gain the record. The controversy was never fully resolved.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.