Have you ever seen a bridge open like a giant eye blinking? Look at the 18th Street Bridge. It’s not like other bridges in Chicago. Most bridges open in the middle, but this one has a single leaf that rises like a magnificent wing, opening only one side. This unique design makes this bridge different from all others. In Chicago, bascule bridges, like this one, are a common sight. They’re like giant scissor blades that can lift up and let ships pass through. But this one is special. It’s a single leaf bascule, which is far less common. It’s a rare gem in a city of bridges. This particular bridge isn’t exactly old, it was built in 1967, which makes it one of the youngest historic bridges in Chicago. It might not be as old as the other bridges, but it has an interesting history. Before this bridge was erected, three others stood in its place. The first one was a combination iron and wood swing bridge built in 1868, and it was hand-turned. Then, in 1888, it was replaced with an iron and steel swing bridge, also hand-turned. The third bridge, built in 1905, was a steel Scherzer Rolling Lift bascule bridge. The 18th Street Bridge, standing here today, is the fourth bridge at this location. Can you imagine the changes that this bridge has witnessed in its long life? Every day, this historic bridge stands silently against the backdrop of the bustling city, connecting communities and carrying countless stories on its sturdy back.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to