Bridge Safety

On Oct. 7th, 2010-  I had the privilege of attending the Reclamation Bridge Re-Dedication. (the Black Bridge aka) They asked to me give a brief speech on the history for Mayor Lacy, who could not make it .It was perhaps the last event other than city council meetings I attended before my term was up at end of that year It was a very interesting search on Internet- and I thought I would share my results with you today. The video is of Bridge Safety of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Black bridge is probably more important to East Wenatchee than the Miss Veedol flight-and perhaps even our famous Apple Loop Trail.

The bridge was the brainchild of W. T. Clark, one of the builders of the Highline Canal. It was financed in part by James J. Hill of the Great Northern Railway (which arrived in Wenatchee in 1892).The Rock Island Bridge, completed in 1893, carried the Great Northern and was one of the early railroad bridges, though not the first, to span the Columbia

In 1908, the very first highway bridge to span the Columbia River south of Canada opened (Black Bridge). The privately owned bridge carried people, horses, wagons, and automobiles, and also water in two large pipelines, along its sides. The bridge opened East Wenatchee and the rest of Douglas County to apple orchard development. “Still standing today, the bridge is a 1,060-foot pinconnected steel cantilever bridge and cost $177,000 to build. It once carried Sunset Highway (State Highway 2) across the river”
In its second year of operation the canal firm that owned it decided to start charging tolls.

This prompted local leaders to hasten to the state legislature to persuade the state to purchase the bridge as part of the state highway system. The state purchased the bridge despite the state-employed consultant's opinion "that the ugliness of the structure is very apparent" (Dorpat), despite defects in the timber floor and concrete piers, and despite leaks in the water pipes.

“The structure has significant paint loss as it has never been repainted- until just a few years ago. It continues to function as a conduit for irrigation water to 4000 acres in Douglas County but now also serves as a significant leg of the Apple Capital Loop Trail which is a pedestrian and bicycle facility approximately 10 miles in length connecting the two sides of the river.”

The structure remained in full use until 1950 when the George Stellar, bridge was built.

The site of East Wenatchee was dry and sandy until 1908 when the new Columbia River Bridge connected it to Wenatchee, bringing both irrigation water and easy access. Within a few years, the site of East Wenatchee bloomed with apple orchards. A small commercial center sprang up at the east end of the bridge. It remained mostly rural in character until 1935, when it was incorporated as a city. It had only 268 residents in 1940. I think there were about 840 residents when I became a councilman in 1989.

...There is much more history I have left out due to time- I wish the beams could talk- share of the many children and families who crossed that bridge, Even my first time across the bridge when we moved here in 1987- the 911 calls to bridge, the light the bridge project several years ago, the Memorial Day wreath celebrations each year, the races, and even this day that will join in its history.

In this disposable and throw away society- I thank you for keeping this part of history alive and hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will be able to enjoy this bridge like I have. Thank you.....