Property Record
S 11 TH ST OVER BURNHAM'S CANAL
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | 6TH AVE. BRIDGE |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | S. 11TH ST. BRIDGE |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 29802 |
| Location (Address): | S 11 TH ST OVER BURNHAM'S CANAL |
|---|---|
| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1886 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19801973 |
| Historic Use: | moveable bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Camelback Truss |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
| Architect: | MILWAUKEE BRIDGE AND IRON WORKS |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 1986 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | SEE HAER FORM. DANKO REPORT ATTRIBUTES BRIDGE DESIGN TO AUGUST T. RIDDELL. M IN THE PHOTO CODES STANDS FOR MENOMONEE VALLEY INTENSIVE SURVEY. Excellent pratt through truss wrought iron bridge. This is probably the best preserved of the type of bridge most commonly used in the last half of the 19th century in Milwaukee. 1973: "This curious artifact is the last of its kind in Milwaukee. The swing bridge was once the predominant way of spanning a navigable channel without resorting to expensive high level structures. As motorized leaf type draw bridges became available, the swing bridges were removed. This was done for water navigation purposes- the swing bridge opens by rotating on a pier located in the center of the waterway, effectively halving the usable width of the channel. The movable leaf bridge eliminates this obstacle. Although several fine and almost majestic railroad swing bridges have survived, the 11th Street is the only public roadway swing bridge remaining in the city. Alterations and Additions (as of 1973): Originally hand opened by the use of a large T-shaped key, the bridge was motorized in 1910. (Interesting to note: at the time of this writing, two such bridge keys were observed lashed to the railing at the southeast end of the South Second Street Bridge, a movable leaf type span.) At an undetermined date, the 11th Street Bridge was reinforced with large steel beams in order to accommodate the heavy trucks which cross the span daily. Builders: August T. Riddell- The Milwaukee Bridge and Iron Works" |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | ZIMMERMAN, P. 302. BUILT IN MILWAUKEE, LANDSCAPE RESEARCH, P. 108. Photographs and records on file, Department or Bridges and Public Buildings, 313 Municipal Building. Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company, Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridges, Chicago, 1903. Works Projects Administration, P&S Division, "Bridges, Swing," compiled for the city of Milwaukee, 1939-1940, Legislative Reference Bureau, 401 City Hall. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |