This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1852: Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia, USA - Elk River
Bridgemeister ID:38 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1852
Name:Charleston
Also Known As:Lovell Street
Location:Charleston, West Virginia, USA
Crossing:Elk River
Principals:W. O. Buchanan, William Kuhn, Abraham Wright
References:AAJ, EOV, HBE, PTS2
Use:Vehicular
Status:Collapsed, December 15, 1904
Main Cables:Wire (iron)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 145.7 meters (478 feet)
Deck width:17 feet

Notes:

  • Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
  • Damaged during Civil War. An article in the August 2, 1861 issue of the New York Times mentions: "A junction of our forces having now been effected, the army at once moved on to Elk River, which debouches into the Kanawha at Charleston, where the army encamped for the night. We would have crossed the stream at once, and marched through the town the same evening, but for the fact that the rebels had partially destroyed the beautiful suspension bridge which spans Elk River at this spot, rendering it unsafe for passage. Not content with burning a portion of the flooring, they nearly severed the strands which support the structure, and aid their work, too, in the most bungling manner. A more shameless piece of vandalism I never witnessed. While the army slept, a company of sappers and miners repaired the damage, and yesterday the army, nearly five thousand strong, marched through the streets of Charleston."
  • Near 1884 (suspension bridge) - Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
Print, collection of David Denenberg Postcard, collection of Jochem Hollestelle

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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