Colorado Street Bridge (Pasadena, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colorado Street Bridge
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Colorado Street Bridge seen from the Arroyo Seco below
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| Location | Pasadena, California |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Waddell & Harrington |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000156 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1981 |
The Colorado Street Bridge is a really old and famous bridge in Pasadena, California. It's made of concrete and has cool arches. It stretches across a valley called the Arroyo Seco.
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Discovering the Colorado Street Bridge
This amazing bridge was designed and built way back in 1912. It cost about $191,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! A company called Waddell & Harrington from Kansas City, Missouri, designed it.
The bridge opened on December 13, 1913. It carries Colorado Boulevard, which was called "Colorado Street" at the time. This road is super important because it connects Pasadena to other towns like Eagle Rock, Glendale, and Monrovia.
Before this big bridge, there was a smaller one called the Scoville Bridge. The Colorado Street Bridge replaced it, making travel much easier.
Why the Bridge is Curved
The Colorado Street Bridge is not straight; it has a gentle curve. This was a smart design choice! The engineers made it curved so that its foundations would rest on stronger ground.
The bridge is very long, stretching about 1,486 feet (453 meters). It's also quite tall, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet (45 meters) above the valley floor.
The bridge is famous for its beautiful design, which is called Beaux Arts. You can see this style in its unique arches, fancy light posts, and detailed railings.
A Landmark Bridge
Because of its history and design, the Colorado Street Bridge is a very important landmark. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's officially recognized as a special historical site.
It has also been named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This honor was given by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It means the bridge is a great example of engineering skill!
Gallery
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The Colorado Street Bridge next to the bridge for the Ventura Freeway, also known as the Pioneers Bridge.
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The Colorado Street Bridge, with the San Gabriel mountains in the background, around 1920.
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1913 view looking north at the Colorado Street Bridge under construction and the Scoville Bridge behind.
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1914 Colorado Street Bridge just completed and the Scoville Bridge, later washed away by a flood.
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The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view of side of bridge at night with lights on.
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The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at sunset from the park underneath.
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The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view from underneath.
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The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at sunset from underneath, showing hiking trail and lights on top of bridge.
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The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at night underneath with passing traffic and park lights.
Images for kids
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A 1913 view of the Scoville Bridge next to the partially completed Colorado Street Bridge.
