(erielack) Portageville bridge history

["Russell Hallock" <rhallock_@_frontiernet.net>]

      Democrat & Chronicle
      March 22 1902
      Location: Rochester, NY


      ANOTHER BRIDGE OVER PORTAGE

      New Double Track Structure This Time
      Third To Span The Gorge
      First Bridge Built in 1851 and Destroyed by Fire in 1875.
      Its Successor Going up in Ninety Days,

      A new double tract bridge of the latest design will soon be built at 
Portage to replace the present structure which has stood since 1875. The 
bridge which now spans the grand gorge at Portage is the second structure 
ever built across the Genesee river.
      The first bridge was constructed in 1851 and it spanned the river at 
the same place where this present one is situated. It was considered such an 
excellent example of modern engineering that the Erie railroad ran 
excursions there on the day the first train passed over it. This day was 
January 13, 1853, but previous to this an engine had passed over the new 
structure on August 14, 1852.
      January 13, 1853, was a great day for Portage. Excursions were run 
from all parts of New York state and an immense crowd was present. Among 
those who took part in the programme of the day were Governor HUNT and 
President DODER(?) of the Erie railroad.
      Attractions were billed and numerous other things were done to make 
the place attractive and in a short time Portage became the mecca of 
thousands of tourists. BLONDON at one time walked a tight rope across the 
gorge.
      This bridge, which was the advertisement which brought the first crowd 
there and thus made Portage famous as a resort, was planned by a boy 16 
years of age, and his plans were carried out perfectly. The bridge was so 
constructed that any part of it could be taken out and repaired without 
weakening the structure.
      It was 800 feet long and 234 feet high. The stone piers which 
supported it were twenty feet high, the trestle 190 feet and the truss 
fourteen feet. It contained 108,802 pounds of iron and 1,602,000 feet of 
timber which completely cleared 200 acres of timber land. Thirteen months 
were occupied in the building of the structure and its total cost was 
$175,000.
      This famous old bridge stood for twenty-three years, needing but 
little repairing and remaining in excellent condition generally. Guards 
watched it night and day for fear of fire from a passing engine or from 
other sources. All attempts to preserve it were futile, for on May 6, 1875, 
at 1 o'clock in the morning, the bridge caught fire and was entirely 
destroyed. It was supposed that the fire was of incendiary origin.
      The company at once set about to build a new bridge and in ninety days 
the structure which now stands was completed. The bridge is apparently a 
frail structure but it has proved an excellent example of strength, and its 
pattern has been copied in the bridge at Kinzua and
      Stony Brook Glen.



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