Bridge of Lions facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridge of Lions |
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View of the original bridge from Castillo de San Marcos in 2003.
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| Carries | 2 general purpose lanes of  SR A1A and 2 sidewalks |
| Crosses | Matanzas River (Intracoastal Waterway) |
| Locale | St. Augustine, Florida |
| Official name | Bridge of Lions |
| Maintained by | Florida Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 780074 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | steel bascule bridge |
| Total length | 1,545 feet (471 m) |
| Width | 34 feet (10 m) |
| Longest span | 87 feet (27 m) |
| Clearance above | N/A |
| Clearance below | 25 feet (7.6 m) closed |
| History | |
| Opened | February 26, 1927 (original bridge) March 17, 2010 (current bridge) |
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Bridge of Lions
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Augustine, Florida  United States |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | J. E. Greiner Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001040 |
| Added to NRHP | 19 November 1982 |
The Bridge of Lions is a well-known bridge in St. Augustine, Florida, United States. It connects the main part of St. Augustine to Anastasia Island. This bridge crosses over Matanzas Bay.
The bridge is famous for its two large lion statues. These statues are made of Carrara marble. They are copies of the famous Medici lions found in Florence, Italy.
Contents
What is a Bascule Bridge?
The Bridge of Lions is a special type of bridge called a bascule bridge. This means it has a part that can open up. It lifts to let tall boats and ships pass underneath. This is very important for traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway.
The First Bridge to Anastasia Island
Before the Bridge of Lions was built, there was an older wooden bridge. It was built in 1895. People called it "The Bridge to Anastasia Island." Sometimes it was also called the "South Beach railroad bridge."
In 1904, this old bridge was updated. It could then carry a trolley. This bridge also had a part that opened for ships. However, it charged a small fee to cross.
Building the Original Bridge of Lions
A man named Henry Rodenbaugh helped make the new bridge happen. He is known as the "Father of the Bridge of Lions." In the early 1920s, the old wooden bridge often broke down. Henry Rodenbaugh helped raise money to build a new, stronger bridge.
The goal was to build more than just a bridge for cars. They wanted it to be a beautiful work of art.
The Famous Lion Statues
The two marble Medici lion statues on the bridge were a gift. They were given by Dr. Andrew Anderson. He was a well-known person in St. Augustine. Sadly, Dr. Anderson passed away before the lions were put in place.
A New Bridge for a New Era
The original Bridge of Lions served for almost 80 years. On May 26, 2006, there was a special ceremony to close it.
Temporary Bridge and Reconstruction
A temporary bridge was built next to the old one. All traffic used this temporary bridge. This allowed the original bridge to be rebuilt. The goal was to make the new bridge look just like the old one. This big project cost about $80 million.
On March 17, 2010, the new Bridge of Lions officially opened. The temporary bridge was then taken down. The beautiful lion statues were also brought back. They had been away for six years during the construction.
How the Bridge Opens Today
Today, the Bridge of Lions opens on a schedule. It opens for boats on the hour and half hour. This happens between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. However, it does not open at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, or 5:00 PM on weekdays. On Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays, it opens at these times too.
Cool Facts About the Bridge of Lions
- The Bridge of Lions is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
- When construction started in 1925, Henry Rodenbaugh's young daughter, Jean, poured the first bucket of concrete.
- Isabella Heard was a young girl who helped open the bridge in 1927. She also tied the ribbon for its closing ceremony 79 years later.
- In 2010, Roads & Bridges magazine ranked the Bridge of Lions. It was named one of the top 10 bridges in the entire nation.
Gallery
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The original bridge to Anastasia Island, before the Bridge of Lions was built.
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The bridge's bascule draw span open for a ship.
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One of the Medici lion statues on the bridge before it was renovated.
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New Year's fireworks in St. Augustine seen through the Bridge of Lions. You can see the temporary bridge structure.
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The lions back in their original spot after the bridge upgrade was finished.
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The bridge as seen from the west side, in downtown St. Augustine.
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The bridge with its center span open, as seen from the Castillo de San Marcos.
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See also
In Spanish: Puente de los Leones (San Agustín) para niños
