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This bridge is a most unusual structure. It essentially carries Sheridan Road over North Shore Channel, but more specifically over the Wilmette Pumping Station, which is the gateway between the North Shore Channel and Lake Michigan. The pumping station and the bridge are a single integral structure. In addition to going over the pumping station, the bridge features two spans that pass over the access roads and open paved space that provides access to the pumping station facility.
This bridge is historically significant as an unusual bridge that was designed as a part of a building, and also for its association with the development of the North Shore Channel. It is a largely unaltered structure of the canal that plays an important role in regulating the flow of the Chicago River. Dating to 1910-1911, the structure is in the same context as the other historic canal bridges in the area.The bridge is a concrete encased deck plate girder structure, an uncommon structure type. A somewhat early example of a bridge where concrete was a major structural element of the superstructure and deck, the bridge makes excellent use of the material, with numerous handsome architectural details having been cast into the concrete piers, railings, and building, greatly increasing the aesthetic value of the structure.
This bridge sits in the shadow of the enormous Baha'i House of Worship which is actually newer than the bridge and pumping house, but is nevertheless an intriguing and beautiful wonder of structural engineering worth checking out while in the area.
Edward B. Ellicott, pictured to the left, was the chief electrical engineer for the project.
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Main Bridge Plaque THE SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGONORTH SHORE CHANNEL SHERIDAN ROAD BRIDGE AND WILMETTE PUMPING STATION DESIGNED FROM PRESIDENT ROBER R. McCORMICK'S ORIGINAL SKETCH, BY THE ENGINEERING DEPART- MENT OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGO UNDER THE DIRECTION OF GEORGE M. WISNER, CHIEF ENGINEER, CARLTON R. DART, BRIDGE ENGINEER AND FREDERICK L. BARRETT, ARCHITECT. |
Sanitary District Plaque ERECTED BYTHE SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGO ------ 1910 ------ ROBERT R. McCORMICK, PRESIDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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North Shore Channel Plaque THE SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGONORTH SHORE CHANNEL G. M. WISNER, CHIEF ENGINEER E. B. ELLICOTT, ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
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Chicago and Cook County are home to one of the largest collections of historic bridges in the country, and no other city in the world has more movable bridges. HistoricBridges.org is proud to offer the most extensive coverage of historic Chicago bridges on the Internet.
General Chicago / Cook County Bridge Resources
Chicago's Bridges - By Nathan Holth, author of HistoricBridges.org, this book provides a discussion of the history of Chicago's movable bridges, and includes a virtual tour discussing all movable bridges remaining in Chicago today. Despite this broad coverage, the book is presented in a compact format that is easy to take with you and carry around for reference on a visit to Chicago. The book includes dozens of full color photos. Only $9.95 U.S! ($11.95 Canadian). Order Now Direct From The Publisher! or order on Amazon.
Chicago River Bridges - By Patrick T. McBriarty, this is a great companion to Holth's book shown above. This much larger book offers an extremely in-depth exploration of Chicago's movable highway bridges, including many crossings that have not existed for many years. Order Now Direct From The Publisher! or order on Amazon.
View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Overview of Chicago Bascule Bridges (HAER Data Pages, PDF)
Chicago Loop Bridges - Chicago Loop Bridges is another website on the Internet that is a great companion to the HistoricBridges.org coverage of the 18 movable bridges within the Chicago Loop. This website includes additional information such as connections to popular culture, overview discussions and essays about Chicago's movable bridges, additional videos, and current news and events relating to the bridges.
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