A relative of mine, was the master mason for the construction of the original railway bridge at this site. His name was Charles Thomas Thomas (1820-1867).
He came with Chief Engineer, Thomas Curtis Clarke to work on the project beginning in the December 1866. The two of them had worked together on the construction of the Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
He was killed on the construction of that bridge in an accident in the Fall of 1867. He died Christmas Day 1867.
YOUR 1959 DATE IS CORRECT.
MY FATHER, ATWILL REED HUTCHINGS WAS THE CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT FOR KANSAS CITY BRIDGE CO.
THEY HAD THE CONTRACT TO INSTALL ALL RIVER PIERS AND APPROACHES.
I GRADUATED FROM QUINCY HI SCHOOL IN 1960.
KANSAS CITY BRIDGE ALSO HAD THE CONTRACT TO DEMOLISH THE OLD RAIL ROAD BRIDGE AND PIERS THAT WAS JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THE NEW BRIDGE.
I WORKED, DEMOLISHING THE OLD BRIDGE IN 1960 AND INTO 1961.
THIS WAS THE LAST PROJECT, THAT KANSAS CITY BRIDGE DID.
THANKS, ROBERT REED HUTCHINGS
Do you know when the bridge was rebuilt? 1959?
nice google photo: