Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-30
Nm SYLVANIA AVEN E Bird GE.

or in BY way of Bladensburg. 1t will open up
a portion of country which has hitherto been
comparatively inaccessible and will bring to
East Washington Il class Of trade which is now
diverted into other channels. Already the
good effects which will arise from this new
bridge are beginning to be noticeable in the
increased activity in business circles in
that section of the city. Land which
has formerly been considered undesirable
Is taking on an Eactive market value and
1t Is confidently expected that in a short time
there will be large number of stores and other
business houses opened up along the eastern
end OF Pennsylvania avenue which will be sup
ported largely by the trade of the country
people from the other side of the river. A
large section of ground on the eastern bank of
the river has been laid out in building lots
under the name OF Twining City, and already
more than $50 lots have been sold.
THE FORMER BRIDGE.
1t seems strange that that section Of East
Washington should have been without bridge
for SO long, for the present bridge is built on
the exact site of former one which was
burned down many years ago. In 1875 an act
OF the Maryland government Incorporated the
Eastern Branch bridge company and authorized
them to build a toll bridge, 20 feet in width,
with draw, to extend from the Washington
shore dlagonally across the river to the lands
OF Matthew Wakefield During the second war
with England, on August "a 1914 this bridge
was burned by the American forces under
Capt. Creighton while the British troops were
in the neighborhood of Bladensburg and APP
preaching Washington. The fences from all
the neighboring houses and farms were
piled upon the bridge and several
barrels of gun powder placed under it
and Its destruction was complete. The follow
ing year Congress authorized the Navy depart
ment to pay the claims of the Eastern Branch
bridge company for the loss they had suffered
IN the destruction of their bridge and it was
lTnrRn hot abrt1t H.
ments of that time this is always spoken of as
the lower bridge. In 1S45 or 1916 it took fire
from sparks from a small steamer which was
used to carry passengers to Skagsby's camp
meeting ground and was partially destroyed.
1t was never afterward rebuilt
OTHER EASTERN BRANCH BRIDGES.
Bennings bridge was the second one built
across the Eastern branch. 1t was built in 1877
and was also burned by the American forces in
the war of 1912. 1t was afterward paid for by
Congress through the War department and was
rebuilt. In 1920 the Navy Yard bridge COM
pany was Incorporated and their bridge at the
foot OF east 4th street was generally known the
Eastern branch lower bridge, while the one at
the foot of Pennsylvania avenue after
ward called the Eastern branch upper bridge.
Thus in 1920 there were three bridges across
the Eastern branch, while in more recent years
despite the great growth of the city, there has
only been two.
THE NEW STRUCTURE.
The building of the present bridge is largely
due to the activity of the East Washington citi-
zens' association. Realizing what an advantage
such bridge would be to their section of the
city they have worked hard to obtain it. They
sent several petitions to Congress and their
representatives have pleaded its cause before
the District committees on various occasions.
The construction of the bridge was author
lied by act of Congress approved February 49,
1887. This act provided for the construction
of substantial wooden, iron or masonry
bridge and appropriated the sum of $4,000
therefor. There were four bids presented.
The contract was awarded to the Groton bridge
and manufacturing company of Groton, New
York, their bid being the only one within the
limit. They agreed to do the work for Sl05, 900
and to have it completed by the first of August
They beSjn work upon the site on October 10,
1887. By general order of the War depart
ment Lieut.. Col. Hams was put in charge of
the construction of the bridge. Early in No
yember, 1887, an excavation was dug for the
west abutment, but this was promptly filed up
by employees of
THE BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC RAILROAD,
who claimed that it was ON their land The
superintendent of the road was notified and
requested not to interfere with the work. The