of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 305-306
THE HIGH BRIDGE. The high bridge was finished May 8, 1891, and on that day four carriages containing representatives of Muscatine, under the direction of Superintendent C. Lillibridge, made the first crossing over the bridge to the Illinois shore. The bridge was not formally opened at that time, however, owing to formalities being necessary between the bridge company and the Milwaukee Construction Company in regard to the acceptance of the work. This was accomplished a few days later and the bridge then opened to the world. The Muscatine Bridge Company was organized in 1888 by a number of resident merchants and business men, and capitalized at $200,000. $52,600 of stock was subscribed and $60,000 in bonds were issued. Work commenced on the structure in the fall of 1889, and it was finished May 8, 1891. The bridge is one-half mile long and has six spans. It is of cantilever order and fifty-five feet above high water mark. After the bridge company was formed, another company made up principally of members of the other concern, constructed a road and bridges on the Illinois side, as an approach to the high bridge. A fair rate of toll is charged and the enterprise has proven a success and a great convenience. Its advent relegated the ferry to oblivion.
The following is a list of the officers of the corporation: H. W. Huttig, president; Henry Jayne, vice president; J. Scott Blackwell, secretary; Chester Lillibridge, superintendent, treasurer and financial secretary.
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