Clark Street Bridge
Clark Street Bridge Soundex Code C462
Contents
Present Bridge Specifications
Dedicated: 7/10/1929 (latest version)
Designers: Thomas G. Pihlfeldt, Donald Becker, Hugh Young
Classification: Single Deck; Pony Trusses
Clear Span: 215 feet
Trunnion-to-Trunnion Span: 245 feet
Width: 72 feet
Leaf Weight: 1,400 tons
Height above the Water: 20 feet
Significant Highlights
The Clark Street Bridge has always been known as a "suicide bridge". Despite the many who have leaped to their deaths from its ancient framework, Martin Jeffers, the bridge tender, and his assistant, Frank Ward, saved the lives of twenty-six would-be suicides during the years. And in each case the persons they rescued thanked them warmly for bringing them back to life.
On July 24, 1915, Jeffers and Ward, also were responsible for saving up to 50 lives when the SS Eastland rolled over in the Chicago River.
In May 1929, the Clark Street Bridge was knocked into by the sandboat Sandmaster and had to be replaced. The over $50,000 damage was considered so severe that the swing bridge was condemned. The replacement bridge was a bascule-type lift bridge. This new span was expected to be ready in late June/early July.
History of Clark Street Bridge
The North Clark Street river crossing has been in use for more than 170 years. The first bridge at the Clark Street crossing of the Chicago River was a floating bridge built in 1840. In 1856, a swing bridge was built at this crossing. This swing bridge was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire and rebuilt in 1872. In 1888, the last swing bridge was built at Clark Street. Construction of the current bascule-type lift bridge marked the end of the swing bridge era on the Main Branch of the Chicago River.
Bridge tender houses are placed on the northwest and southeast corners of the bridge. These houses are similar to those on the La Salle Street Bridge.
Other interesting events at this bridge
In 1937, a visitor to Chicago climbed onto the truss 20 feet above the roadway. He fell asleep there and could not be roused from below. A fireman had to carry him down. When questioned, he claimed an “acquaintance overdosed him with liquor” and he was grateful for the nap.
In 1942, a pedestrian was observed with an object resembling a fire extinguisher. He dropped it on the bridge and ran away. The object, which was thought to be a bomb, was placed such that raising the bridge leaves would have crushed it, possibly exploding it. A quick-acting police officer threw the object into the river. A liquid chemical poured from the object as it sank but there was no explosion.
In 1943, one of two painters working on the bridge lost a pair of eye glasses in the gear box. While trying to retrieve the glasses, the two discovered a loaded 20 millimeter anti-aircraft shell. No additional information was provided as to how the shell might have ended up there or what happened to it. It is reasonable to assume it was removed without incident.
In 1985, conceptual artist Michele Fitzsimmons and photographer Diane Schmidt produced a book entitled The Chicago Exhibition. This project involved photographing a number of Chicago landmarks as backdrop for a series of artistic nude poses. The Clark Street bridge is a prominent feature in the photograph entitled “North Bank of the Chicago River.”
In October 2007, a concert of the Clark Street Bridge Percussion Orchestra was staged as a part of Chicago Artists Month.
