Once Deemed ‘Impossible’ Cross Missouri’s Oldest Bridge
In the busy city of St. Louis, Missouri, stands a testament to human astonishment - the awe-inspiring Eads Bridge. Built in an era when the impossible seemed just that, this historic structure has defied expectations and stood the test of time.
When plans for the Eads Bridge were first conceived in 1874, engineers faced a monumental challenge. They were tasked with creating a bridge capable of spanning the mighty Mississippi River, using only the technology available at the time. It was a daunting endeavor, to say the least.
The construction of this Missouri bridge was so perilous, that the Missouri Historical Society reports that a dozen workers died as it was being built.
Before the Gateway Arch was constructed in 1966, the Eads Bridge was the iconic symbol of St. Louis. It was an engineering feat that provided travel and trade over the Mississippi River. Now, it's a bridge that many still drive over, but don't realize the immense history they're crossing.
This combination of iron and steel has quite literally stood the test of time and remains a remnant of a past era that remains vital today. The Eads Bridge in Missouri, one of the oldest spans still standing not just in the Show Me State, but in America.
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Gallery Credit: US Army Corp of Engineers, , Steven Bushko, photographer, Library of Congress