Colossus Bridge facts for kids

The Upper Ferry Bridge in an 1823 picture.

The Colossus Bridge was a truly amazing wooden bridge that crossed the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. It was also known by other names like Fairmount Bridge or Upper Ferry Bridge. Built in 1812 by a skilled engineer named Louis Wernwag, it was considered his best work.

This bridge was a record-breaker for its time. It had a huge single span of about 340 feet (104 meters). This made it the longest single-span wooden bridge ever built in the United States. It was also special because it was one of the first long bridges to use strong iron rods in its design.

What Made the Colossus Bridge So Special?

The Colossus Bridge was a marvel of engineering. It showed how clever people were at building big structures even a long time ago. Its design used a special type of support called a truss. A truss is like a framework of triangles that makes a structure very strong and stable.

A Pioneer in Bridge Building

Louis Wernwag's design for the Colossus Bridge was very advanced. Using iron rods was a new idea for such a large wooden bridge. These rods helped to make the bridge even stronger and more durable. It was a big step forward in bridge construction at the time.

The Bridge's Sad End

Sadly, the Colossus Bridge did not last forever. On September 1, 1838, the bridge was completely destroyed by a fire. This was a great loss for the area and for engineering history.

Bridges That Followed

After the Colossus Bridge was lost, other bridges were built in its place. First, a wire suspension bridge designed by Charles Ellet Jr. was built. A suspension bridge hangs from strong cables, which is a very different design from a wooden truss bridge. Later, a different type of bridge, called the Callowhill Street truss bridge, took its place. Today, the modern bridge at this exact spot is the Spring Garden Street Bridge.

Where Was It Located?

The Colossus Bridge was located near the coordinates 39°57′50″N 75°11′00″W. This spot is still an important crossing point over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

Images for kids

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  "Schuylkill Waterworks" (1835), with "The Colossus" in the background.

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  "A View of Fairmount and the Waterworks" (1835) by John Rubens Smith.

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  Diagram showing the inside structure of the bridge.