Completed in 1955, the Halsted Street Bridge stands before you. Before this bascule trunnion bridge, a swing bridge stood here from 1866. It marked the initial crossing at this location. Then a Scherzer rolling lift bridge replaced it in 1897. That rolling lift bridge served Chicago for 58 years.
Imagine Mayor Daley walking across this very bridge. It was December 5, 1955. He and other officials celebrated its opening. Temporary controls operated the Halsted Street Bridge. Construction wasn’t fully done until 1957.
The Halsted Street Bridge isn’t just a crossing. It connects Goose Island to the rest of Chicago. Goose Island is a 160-acre artificial island. It’s formed by the Chicago River’s North Branch and the North Branch Canal.
Did you know that Goose Island was once nicknamed Ogden’s Island? William B Ogden, Chicago’s first mayor, created the canal. It separated the island from the mainland. Some aldermen even wanted to make Ogden’s Island the official name in 1891. The name Goose Island might come from flocks of geese kept by settlers.
Before 1894, a vertical lift bridge stood here. Designed by J.A.L. Waddell, it was the first modern vertical lift bridge worldwide. A collision doomed its predecessor. The steamer Tioga crashed into the Halsted Street Swing Bridge in 1892. The city then chose Waddell’s design. His design was initially rejected for the Duluth Ship Canal.
The Halsted Street Lift Bridge offered advantages. Unlike swing bridges, it provided a wide channel. It also allowed increased dock space. Lift bridges could be raised just enough for ships to pass. Despite these benefits, bascule bridges became more popular. The Halsted Street Lift Bridge couldn’t handle heavier loads. So, the city dismantled it in 1932.
Consider the industrial history around the Halsted Street Bridge. The Omaha Packing Co. operated near here. The Halsted Street Lift Bridge played a role in a fire there. A fireboat was delayed. The Canal Street Railroad Bridge struggled to lift, hindering the response.
Today, the Halsted Street Bridge serves as a vital transportation route. It connects Chicago’s past with its present. As you cross it, remember the stories beneath your feet.