Towering above the Arroyo Seco in the heart of Pasadena lies a majestic bridge that is as renowned as its home state. Famed as the highest concrete suspension overpass in the globe during the period of its installation the Colorado Street Bridge is both a historic and iconic landmark in Pasadena, California. Vaulted against a stunning backdrop at a staggering height of 150 feet above ground level it is difficult to imagine that the engineering marvel was constructed as far back as 1913 in an era when the Arroyo Seco was traversed using horse drawn wagons that climbed and descended on the slopes of the river’s banks to get across the stream. Designed and built by the Waddell & Harrington company based in Missouri the 1,486 feet long bridge was famously dubbed the highest bridge of its kind in the world at the time of its completion and has evolved to become an integral part of Colorado’s building and landmark heritage nearly a 100 years after it was first declared open to the public.
Engineered by John Drake Mercereau the challenging task of building a bridge within the harsh and topographically diverse terrain of Colorado was achieved by curving the overpass a whopping 50 degrees to face the south. Earning accolades such as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark designation as well as a place in the National Register of Historic Places this breathtaking bridge is considered an architectural marvel as well as a work of art due to its elegant arches and bowed deck. Costing more than a quarter of a million dollars to construct the Colorado Street Bridge’s roadways includes 5 foot spaced sidewalks in addition to its 28 feet width highway. Decorated with other structural elements such as elaborate cast iron lampshades harboring multiglobe illuminators and classical style balusters the entire project took a mere 18 month to reach completion despite having most of its building material transported via horse drawn wagons. Offering visitors breathtaking views across the Arroyo Seco as well as Eagle Rock Pass and other captivating corners of Pasadena the Colorado Street Bridge is a shutterbug’s dream come true with engaging angles suitable for landscape photography at every turn.
One of the chief events conducted at the venue include the Colorado Street Bridge summer festival organized by the Pasadena Heritage community group.
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Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
