In the Bridge Diaries show, explore a bridge from Jameelah’s diary and the fascinating places it connects people to!

Bridge Diaries: Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge

The Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge was formerly known as the Calvert Street Bridge.  In 1891, the Edgemore Bridge Company constructed the Calvert Street Bridge for the Rock Creek Railway Company.  The Calvert Street Bridge was an iron trestle bridge and crossed over Rock Creek, which ran through a deep valley.   The bridge was built to create an accessible route for rail cars and increase business.  After its completion, the Rock Creek Railway Company moved to transfer the bridge to the Commissioner of the District of Columbia.  It was used for vehicular, pedestrian, and street car traffic.   

The Calvert Street Bridge encountered maintenance issues early on that required repair or replacement of the bridge floor, paint, and steel.  The roadway width was eventually reduced as well, to prevent traffic from crossing over the structure’s cantilevered beams.  Prior to this change, the sidewalk vibrated so much that pedestrians were hesitant to cross. As early as 1914, recommendations to replace the bridge were considered instead of continuing costly maintenance activities.1  

To make way for a new replacement bridge, the existing iron trestle bridge was moved (or shifted) 80 feet.  It continued to serve as a detour for traffic to cross Rock Creek as the new bridge was constructed in its old path.1    Architect Paul Cret and Modjeski, Masters & Chase engineering company collaborated to design the three span reinforced concrete arch bridge that exists today. Four sculptural reliefs representing modes of transportation were created by Leon Hermant and are located on pedestals at four corners of the bridge.2

The bridge is a Neo-classical structure in a historic neighborhood.  It was renamed in memoriam of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington in 1974.  He was both a legendary composer and performer.2   Now, people can be reminded of his legacy when crossing over or under the soaring structure.

References: 

  1. Goldman, Julios Louis. The History and Construction of the Calvert Street Bridge in  Washington, D.C. 1934. Records of Phi Mu, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
  2. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Historic District, accessed November 27, 2020, <https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/03pqh8lcpw6emwx/Rock%20Creek%20and%20Potomac%20Parkway%20nom.pdf?dl=0>.
  3. “Duke Ellington Bridge (Calvert Street Bridge),” DC Historic Sites, accessed November 27, 2020,<https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/175>.

Bridge Diaries: Charles Richard Drew Memorial Bridge

The Charles Richard Drew Memorial Bridge was borne of a need to eliminate an at-grade crossing in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, DC.  (As an at-grade crossing, pedestrians and cars had to cross railroad tracks at the very same level, or elevation, as speeding trains.)  The Michigan Park Citizens Association advocated for a bridge over the tracks, and it was brought to fruition in 1937. The bridge was later dedicated to Dr. Charles Richard Drew. 

Dr. Drew was born in Washington, DC. on June 3, 1904 and is known as the pioneer of the modern blood bank.  Because of his scientific breakthrough in separating red blood cells and plasma, blood can be stored longer.  He also discovered that plasma-only transfusions are possible, regardless of a person’s blood type.

References:

  1. “Local Lore: The opening of the Michigan Avenue Viaduct,” Bygone Brookland, accessed November 27, 2020, <http://bygonebrookland.com/local-lore-the-opening-of.html>.
  2. “Charles Richard Drew Memorial Bridge,” HMDb, accessed November 27, 2020, <https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=6262&Result=1>. 
  3. “Charles Drew,” Black Inventor, accessed November 27, 2020, <http://blackinventor.com/charles-drew/>.