- Item
- 1903
Part of Richards Studio Photographs
ca. 1903. The contract to build the first steel bridge to span the Foss waterway at the foot of South 11th Street was let in 1894 and construction was completed in 1895 at a cost of $90,000. An article from the Tacoma Daily Ledger dated Feb. 1, 1895 stated: 'In its relation to the future greatness of Tacoma, the erection of the bridge is perhaps the most important public work since the first train came through the Stampede tunnel." In this view, dating from around 1903, long lines of employees from the many businesses on the tideflats stream across the bridge toward downtown Tacoma. The Pacific Starch Co. (far left) opened in 1903; it was the "largest starch factory in the United States." The first 11th Street Bridge was closed in 1911; it was replaced by the more modern, "vertical lift" Murray Morgan Bridge. ( Copy of glass plate made on October 3, 1958.) TPL-8743
11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma;