Wells Street Bridge
Photos
The east face
As seen from the Harrison Street Bridge
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007
BH Photo #109717
Facts
- Overview
- Whipple through truss bridge over St. Marys River on Wells Street in Fort Wayne
- Location
- Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
- Status
- Open to pedestrians only
- History
- Built 1884 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Co.
- Builders
- - Alvin John Stewart (Engineer)
- Carnegie Steel Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Iron/Steel Manufacturer)
- Hicks & Holmes (Erector)
- W.H. Goshorn (Engineer)
- Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio
- Design
- Whipple through truss
- Dimensions
-
Total length: 180.0 ft.
Deck width: 23.0 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 15.7 ft.
- Recognition
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1988
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +41.08283, -85.14411 (decimal degrees)
41°04'58" N, 85°08'39" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 16/655890/4549611 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Fort Wayne West
- Inventory numbers
- NRHP 88001575 (National Register of Historic Places reference number)
BH 15798 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Update Log
- March 26, 2017: New photo from Dana and Kay Klein
- October 9, 2013: New Street View added by J.P.
- December 27, 2011: Updated by J.P.: Added category "Carnegie"
- March 6, 2010: Updated by J.P.: updated builders
- February 5, 2010: Updated by Anthony Dillon: Added "non-pink" pictures.
- January 26, 2008: New photos from J.R. Manning
Sources
- J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
- Tony Dillon - spansaver [at] hotmail [dot] com
- J.P. - wildcatjon2000 [at] gmail [dot] com
- Dana and Kay Klein
Comments
An article about some history of the bridge: http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-oldest-iron-...
There could be some truth to that story. I've heard a similar one except it involved a student in a marching band. Who knows! Stories are born and twisted every day. I wish I still lived in Fort Wayne so I could search the newspaper archives for such a story.
This is indeed the same bridge! The first time i saw it had those barriers and fencing as well. My understanding is that at one time when it was open to pedestrians before it was restored, a jogger fell through the floor of it. It is definitely one of the most ornate spans in existence, and it is nice to see it taken care of. I would like to see them replace or replicate the finials that used to adorn it, but that is just me being picky!
Is this the bridge that was falling apart and had concrete barriers at each end? I remember playing on this bridge as a child. I am very happy with what they've done with it. I remember walking across it with my grandmother and I don't know if I remember correctly, but I think I remember seeing a parade on this bridge when I was very small. Could have been anywhere I guess but I'd like to think it was there.
It is indeed a gem Harold!....I would love to see them replicate and replace the finials that originally adorned it.
I remember this bridge from several years ago when I first visited my sister and her husband, who lived at the end of the bridge on Cass St. A beautiful bridge then, and still a beautiful bridge. I'm glad Fort Wayne had the foresight to save it.
This may well be the most ornate bridge remaining in the United States. It would be nice if the city had the finials that originally topped this bridge replicated.
Wells Street Bridge - access from Superior Street on the south and Wells Street on the north.
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/in/allen/wells-street/
Currently closed to all traffic tho I’m not sure if closing is permanent.