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.
The People’s Bridge. Vehicular Era - 1889 to 1972. 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.
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. Plaque is on the south side of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 2,056 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
