Chicago’s Bridges

Stretching more than 150 miles and cutting through the city that bears its name, the Chicago River divides the Second City into the North Side and the South Side. In 1832, the first bridge across the river was constructed. In 1834, the first moveable bridge was erected. Today, Chicago is home to nearly 40 moveable bridges and some 60 bridges in all, making it the most bridge-rich city in the world. The River and its bridges have done much to shape the history of Chicago, which has grown from a rough-and-tumble trading outpost to a world-class city known for its architecture. Chicago's Bridges traces the evolution of the city's bridges, from the origins of the unique bascule bridges that punctuate the Chicago River to the splendidly designed bridges that lend Chicago its reputation as one of the great architectural destinations of the world.

Nathan Holth is founder of Historic Bridges (www.historicbridges.org), a resource of information and images relating to historic bridges. He has worked with such experts as Vern Mesler of VJM Metal Craftsman, a well-known expert in historic bridge restoration; Indiana bridge historian James Cooper; and the The Historic Bridge Foundation (historicbridgefoundation.com). Holth has personally visited and photo-documented more than 1,900 old and historic bridges. He also has worked with communities to save historic bridges by providing services such as assistance getting a bridge considered eligible or listed in the National Register of Historic Places, researching and assessing the history and design of a bridge, writing letters of support, and recommending experts for additional assistance and support. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a Political Science major and a History minor.