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

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

1. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge Marker

Inscription. The master plan for the development of the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex was expanded at the close of World War I to include the erection of a colossal bridge which would memorialize those who fought in that War. Such a bridge would punctuate the formal symmetry of the main Capitol building and the four flanking neoclassically-styled office buildings that would evolve by the close of the 1930's. Prior to that time, State Street on Allison Hill descended sharply into the City's industrial corridor, then onto an iron bridge spanning Paxton Creek and the railroad tracks, and terminated at the old Eighth Ward neighborhood behind the gracious new Capitol that was completed in 1906. Recognizing that such an approach would in no way complement the master plan for the new district of buildings, the Commonwealth retained nationally acclaimed architect Arnold Brunner of New York City, who had already developed the Capitol Complex master plan, to conceptualize the new bridge. Although Brunner produced the basic design, he died in 1925 leaving the final detail work to New York architects William Gehron and Sidney F. Ross who reconfigured

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and heightened the structure's principal icon elements, the 145-foot high monumental pylons at its western end. Dedicated on August 22, 1930, and built of reinforced concrete faced with heavily rusticated Indiana limestone over a granite base, the bridge's grand arches were highlighted with decorative elements depicting World War I military hardware. After completion, the bridge's memorial was expanded to honor the soldiers and sailors of all American wars.
Top Photo
1929 view looking west toward the evolving Capitol Complex showing the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge under construction.
Middle Photo
View from the original State Street Bridge in 1903 into the old Eighth Ward behind the present Capitol Building depicted here under construction.
Bottom Photo
Circa 1935 postcard view of the completed Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge and majestic pylons.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

2. Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge

Looking West toward the State Capitol.

series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 40° 16.101′ N, 76° 52.431′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Allison Hill. It is on State Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at the East end of the bridge on the right side going East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 161 Royal Terrace, Harrisburg PA 17103, 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: Harrisburg Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Honor of the Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in the Harrisburg Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away);

The North pylon at the West end of the bridge. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

3. The North pylon at the West end of the bridge.

a different marker also named Harrisburg Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); J. Henry Chayn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harrisburg Cemetery Caretaker's Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel F. Keller (approx. 0.2 miles away); W. F. Richardson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Capt. George A. Brooks (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Also see . . . Historic American Buildings Survey Record for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge. (Submitted on January 17, 2015.)

<i>3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST. - Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Bridge…</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Elliot, 1997

4. 3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST. - Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Bridge…

Photo courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey. Statement of significance: The bridge is an excellent example of a monumental bridge. Its militaristic decorative elements indicate its purpose as a memorial to all Pennsylvanians who have served in the armed forces. The carved keystones of each arch depict weapons and machinery of WWI and two massive pylons topped with war eagles mark the entrance to the bridge from the park surrounding the Pennsylvania State Capitol. This imposing span contributes to the imperial quality of the seat of state government. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,542 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 17, 2015.