Rock Island grew from a village to a city because of a bridge - the first
railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi River in 1853. We remain a
community of bridges: big bridges, small bridges, old bridges, new bridges,
fancy bridges, plain bridges. And there is one bridge that we don't even
bother to call a bridge. But a century ago, as this postcard title
states, it had a real name - the Sylvan Bridge.
The postcard shows what look like construction shacks in the foreground
beneath a bridge that is supported by six stone piers in two different
shapes within Sylvan Slough. The Clock Tower building can be seen in the
distance. Railroad tracks are barely visible in the foreground. Although
the postcard calls this a "new" Sylvan Bridge to Rock Island Arsenal, there
has been a bridge in this location at the foot of 24th Street since Civil
War days.
In 1863, the Rock Island City Council, in an effort to link what they termed
separated portions of the city, appropriated $8000 to build a wooden wagon
bridge to the island. Rock Island County was asked to contribute another
$5000 toward the bridge but objections arose. Moline residents countered
that since there was already a good bridge between Moline and the island and
a new bridge would only benefit Rock Islanders, its cost should be fully
borne by Rock Island.
Others were concerned that the bridge would provide a route of escape for
rebel prisoners confined on the island. However it was pointed out that
there were already two railroad bridges, as well as the Moline dam and the
Moline bridge which could carry escapees. And prisoners could walk over the
ice in winter or wade through Sylvan Slough in summer. Although some
Davenporters were reported to be jealous, others praised the "liberality and
energy" of Rock Island and said that the city deserved the benefits they
would certainly reap from trading with Uncle Sam's employees and the
prisoners.
Rock Island got its bridge built. It was placed over Wilson's Island, a
sandbar of 7-1/2 acres just off the west end of the island. (The
configuration of this end of the island has changed a great deal since the
lock and dam was built in the early 1930s.) Access to the bridge was from
24th Street and 2nd Avenue. In 1866, the city sold the relatively new span
to the federal government for $14,000. It was just in time -- the cheap
wood construction was already deteriorating. By 1867, one section had to be
repaired. Finally, in March of 1868, an ice jam completely removed the
bridge and also created major flooding in the area. For a while, the only
connection between the city and the island was by a rope-drawn ferry.
In autumn of 1868, the arsenal commander began work on a new bridge. It was
to be 36 feet wide, rest on three stone piers, (the three boat-shaped ones
shown on the postcard) and to have an iron superstructure. Although located
on the same site as the old bridge, it was longer, to provide a wider
passage for flowing water (and ice). An 1889 birdseye map of Rock Island
shows a four-section bridge with overhead trusses. The deck was apparently
still wooden, as in 1893 a dropped cigar started a fire midway on the span.
Since the nearest hydrant was 800 feet away at 3rd Avenue and 24th Street,
the bridge was in danger of destruction once again. Some suggested that "No
Smoking" notices be posted.
Over the years, there were many complaints about the busy railroad tracks
that were located just off the Rock Island bridge entrance. Travel was
frequently delayed from 10 minutes to 1/2 hour, and it was even suggested that
railroads should arrange their crossing hours so as not to interfere with
the public. The final solution? A viaduct! Around 1890, a proposal was
made for a truss bridge 100 feet long that would raise the Rock Island end
of the bridge and extend it over the tracks. At the same time, the tracks
themselves were to be lowered by one foot. The extension meant access to
2nd Avenue had to be eliminated. After construction was completed in the
early 1890s, people started calling the entire bridge a viaduct.
This postcard, although published after 1900, appears to depict construction
associated with the viaduct extension. The overhead superstructure is no
longer there, and the bridge deck support has probably been reengineered to
eliminate the wood decking. The No Smoking on Bridge signs could come down.
The new design required additional support, so three new river piers were
constructed.
In the ensuing century, repairs have necessitated intermittent closings.
Major construction in 1976 changed access to the bridge when 1st Avenue was
raised and extended to the bridge. That raising of the roadway eliminated
access to 3rd Avenue. The new construction also extended the bridge itself
toward Rock Island, thus making the city responsible for about 200 feet of
the bridge entrance. A few weeks ago, after being closed for several
months of reconstruction on the Rock Island owned portion, the bridge was
opened.
For over 100 years, we have commemorated construction of the railroad
overpass by calling the entire bridge the Viaduct. But with the recent
reopening it's time to think about renewing an older name - the Sylvan
Bridge. This is a great bridge over a beautiful Mississippi backwater. It
deserves a name worthy of its history.
Take a stroll or bike ride on the riverfront path to view the Sylvan Bridge
from the same perspective as shown on the postcard. Then tell us what you
think we should call the bridge.
(Special thanks to the volunteers at the Rock Island County Historical
Society who maintain detailed clipping files on many subjects, including
this bridge.)
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