Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The People’s Bridge

Vehicular Era - 1889 to 1972

Photographed 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 40° 15.542′ N, 76° 53.064′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of Walnut Street and N. Front Street on Walnut Street. Plaque is on the south side of the bridge.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 N Front St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Explore the Capital Area Greenbelt (here, next to 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); The First River School (a few steps from this marker); Threatened Invasion of Harrisburg (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

The People's Bridge. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

2. The People's Bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,405 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.