Evening star., 1934-01-11
SOUTHEAST BRIDGE
ERECTION IS ASKED.
New Pennsylvania Avenue
Span Urged by Board
of Trade Group.

Nearly 140 years after the first
bridge was constructed across tbs Ana
costa River at Pennsylvania avenue
southeat, efforts are now being made
to erect a third structure at that point.
Within the next few days. the Bridges
Committee of the washington Board
Of Trade will petition Congress to ap-
propriate $4,000 for engineering studies
looking toward replacement OF the ex-
isting structure, built A years ago.
Forty-four years before that, sparks
the old wooden bridge, across the
Branch" which had been built at the
instance of President Washington in
1895 From 1846 until the present
bridge was built in 1890, a triple row
of stumps, their blackened outlines re-
vealed only when the water was at low
tide, was all that marked the site OF
the old span.
The building Of the bridge in 1890
marked the elimination of long tight
by the East Washington Citizens Asso-
citation, predecessor to the Randle High
lands Citizens Association. which now
Is cooperating with the Board Of Trade
Committee in seeking funds to begin
study of a new structure. The opening
Of the bridge on August IS, 1890, was
q gala event, the citizenry rejoicing in
its completion.
One Of Oldest.
Next to the Chain Bridge, which was
built in 1874. 1t is probably the Oldest
structure OF its kind in the District.
Clustered around the site Of the Penn
sylvania avenue southeast bridge is in
kareSti,1 hte40rr ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, fOO
Is linked with its story. Many people
supposed that the old wooden bridge
was burned by the British in 1914. but
as a matter Of fact it is doubtful if the
British ever saw il. True. the bridge
was burned at that time. but it was at
the direction Of United States Naval
offcer, in an effort 10 halt the advance
OF the enemy. The re6costS. however,
came by way Of the BladenS5urg road
route. instead
The history Of the bridge dates back
TO 1875. during which year a letter
from President Washington TO 'the
commissioners OF the Federal City" re-
ferred TO plans for a bridge across the
Aracostla River, at the site Of the pres
ent structure.
In those days the District Of Column
bia was part Of Maryland On De-
NCA4OC4 Il tSO. AIIe MAI 4dIlQ bSElSld-
ture authorized the building of a bridge
from the foot of Kentucky avenue to
the land OF Matthew Wigfeld." It was
built and made toll bridge.
Bridge Is Burned.
The span was used regularly UP to
1914, when Washington was threatened
by the British. Col. James Monroe
secretary OF State at that time, ordered
the people in the vicinity of the
Pennsylvania avenue bridge to pile their
fences and other combustible material
on the approaches leading to Washing
ton and to get their old fints ready. It
was never really necessary to DESTROY
the bridge, as it later turned out. One
writer said:
THE burning of the lower bridge over
the Eastern Branch. where the military
council had been held in the morning.
took place after the retreat of our troops
to the city and before the British had
entered 1t. What the object of its
destruction was it is difficult to imagine.
Ihe enemy would have had no occasion
10 use 1t, and would not have carried
it away as a trophy. But as all the
materials had been gotten ready. both
10 ourn and blow it up, it was probably
destroyed on the same principle which
mas actuated some thrifty housewife.
after fit Of sickness in the family. to
swallow the medicine which was left,
IN order to save money and prevent
waste
After the bridge was repaired with
money appropriated by Congress, it con-
t1nued to be operated as a toll bridge
until 1841. During the succeeding five
years, however. travel over it was re-
str1cted to pedestrians. Then il was
burned by spark from a little steamer
which used to run up the Eastern
Branch to Skagg's camp meeting
ground.
Although there was agitation for
new bridge during the years that fol-
lowed, nothing definite came OF il until
organized civic groups took the matter
In hand and finally succeeded IN hav-
ing Representative Barnes Compton
Introduce bill in 1886 At first only
$4,000 was asked for the construction
OF wooden bridge. Later this was in
creased to $4,000 providing for an
iron bridge on stone piers. After the
WORK was begun, 1t was found necessary
TO obtain an additional 100000 to over
come difficulties In Connection with
the railroad tracks which crossed the
path Of the bridge.
Traffic Increases.
The work on the bridge met with
many delays, according to accounts of
the time. A cofferdam had to be built
before foundation for the second
western abutment could be found. and
the nature Of the river bottom made
the work tedious and expensive. A
Hood also played havoc with the work
In recent years the wooden flooring
OF the bridge was covered with asphalt
1t has been recommended for replace
ment for a number of years. and with
the Calvert street. Chain Bridge and
Benning Bridge is on the Districts
r1ent.
The Randle Heights Citizens Asso-
ciation, OF which Adelbert w Lee is
president, points out that the Govern
ment is spending considerable money
In the development and reclamation
OF the fats of the Anacostia River and
Is developing beautiful park on both
banks. Traffic, which now reaches IA
600 vehicles a day, is too much for the
old bridge, they say. '