Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-04
THE BRIDGE BUSINESS.
suggestions from the Upper End OF
the County which May Nut be Alto
gether VisiOnary-Some Very Nice

suggestions from the Upper End Of
the County Which May Not be Alto
gether VisiOnary-Some Very Nice
Thoughts.
The Port Byron Globe of yesterday had
the following suggestions which are
worth reading at least
Speaking of the bridge business, would
it not be good plan for Rock Island TO
change the location of her Rock river
bridges from below to a considerable dis
lance above the dams, where the peril of
annual destruction might be wholly
averted? For instance Open Twentieth
street through to Rock river. and from
the point where this road would strike
the river build high bridge We be-
lieve, il we are correct in our survey,
that line south on Twentieth street
would strike the river some distance
above the Watch Tower. If not far
enough above. the road could be made to
bear east quarter or half mile with lit.
tie additional trouble. 1t would cost con
siderable. TO be sure. to build high
bridge, but 1t would be q safe one. out of
constant danger of being knocked out by
noating ice. and brush and logs from
broken dams. The saving on annual 70
pairs and rebuilding would be great.
We believe the business intsrests of
Rock Island would be greatly enhanced,
too. by such a change Ninth street is
not the proper approach from the south
To the busy retail marts of the county
seat. The people of the lower half Of the
county have to come To Milan to cross the
river: and from here they are led to the
lower end of the city. Twentieth street,
already well macsdamized street nearly
II not quite to the top of the bluff. would
be a shorter approach from Rock river.
and would afford much more pleasant
and direct entrance, and bring the farmer
to the heart of the city at once. instead of
landing him at the extreme lower out.
skirts OF town to inquire the way to the
business center and to the court house.
Another consideration: Since the
watch tower has become so justly popu-
lar as pleasure mountaineering, as il
does, people from every part of this
county. and from adjoining counties,
too-the day is not far distant when
those magnificent bluffs on Rock river.
for distance of a mile or more east of
the tower. will be converted into beau>
tiful parks. lawns and play grounds.
They are Rock Islands natural
resort from the dust and heat of the city
and will inevitably he used as such In the
near future. Then what more valuable
or picturesque improvement could be
added to the natural beauty OF this public
resort than neat, substantial high
bridge. with nice boulevard leading
direct therefrom to the city. Think of a
single span from one of these sturdy hills
to great abutment on the Island. II
would be beauty; and what a magnifi-
cent view OF the bluffs this bridge would
afford.
We may be visionary; but still we be
lieve the idea is worth figuring on, es
pecially by Rock Island business men.
Perhaps the people Of the county would
not be averse to assuming the mainten
ance OF such bridge-one that they
could be sure would not have to be re-
built every year; and possibly the voters
OF the county might be persuaded to aid
Rock Island in such permanent enter
prise. Sure it is. that all the people of
the county, outside of those directly in>
terested, look with suspicion on the traps
now spanning the several channels of
that stream just below the dams.