Original Plans for the Million Dollar and Memorial Bridges in Washington, D.C.

"[Lot of 2] Part of the District of Columbia. June, 1896 [and 34 Illustrations and Plans] [in report] Viaduct Across Rock Creek, District of Columbia... [and] Memorial Bridge Across the Potomac River, at Washington, D.C....", U.S. Government

A. Part of the District of Columbia. June, 1896 [and 34 Illustrations and Plans] [in report] Viaduct Across Rock Creek, District of Columbia. Letter from the Commissioners of the District of Columbia..., by U.S. Government Printing Office, published 1898, printed color (17.5 x 25.6"). A competition was held for the design of the bridge across Rock Creek to extend Connecticut Avenue, and this 26-page report details the major proposals, including the winning entry by George S. Morison. Construction was completed in 1907 at what was seen as a high cost which gave the bridge its “Million Dollar Bridge” nickname. “The expense of the bridge was seen, correctly, as a wise investment. Its construction marked a key turning point in opening up the extension of Connecticut Avenue and making vast stretches of upper Northwest Washington D.C. more easily accessible and thus more desirable as residential areas.” [Source: Streets of Washington (click link to read more)]. The accompanying folding map indeed shows very little development along the Connecticut Avenue Extension in 1896. The bridge is considered a landmark of the structural and ornamental use of concrete and retains its beauty to this day. Includes numerous other related plates and is bound with numerous other documents. Thick octavo. Hardbound in contemporary leather with title labels on spine. Condition: Condition code is for the maps, plates and text, which are clean, bright and near fine. Hinges are starting and the covers are scuffed and worn.

B. Memorial Bridge Across the Potomac River, at Washington, D.C. Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting … a Report on Designs for a Memorial Bridge…, by U.S. War Department, published 1900, black & white (5.8 x 8.9"). Another competition was held for the Memorial Bridge design, and this disbound 68-page report details the winning design by William H. Burr. The design recommended did not receive Congressional approval (apparently a single Senator adamantly objected), and the project languished until 1925 when the current bridge design with a low profile was approved. The current Memorial Bridge was completed in 1932 with nine broad arches and is widely regarded as Washington’s most beautiful bridge. For the final design, click here. Included with the report are a number of large handsome folding illustrations of the proposed designs. Condition: Plates and text are near fine with a hint of toning.

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Condition: A

See description above.