Suspension Bridges Crossing Niagara River

This is a list of all 9 bridges from the suspension bridge inventory crossing Niagara River. Please note that different rivers with the same name will be grouped together. For example, selecting 'Bear Creek' shows bridges across several different Bear Creeks. Also, similarly named rivers are grouped separately. For example, 'River Dee' (UK) bridges are grouped separately from 'Dee River' (Australia) bridges. Wherever you see a Bridgemeister ID number click it to isolate the bridge on its own page.

Related Lists:

1848: Niagara Suspension

Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:29 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1848
Name:Niagara Suspension
Location:Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:Charles Ellet
References:BOB, BPL, HBE, ONF, PTS2
Use:Vehicular (one-lane)
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire (iron)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 234.7 meters (770 feet)
Deck width:7.5 feet

Notes:


1851: Lewiston-Queenston

Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:35 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1851
Name:Lewiston-Queenston
Location:Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:Edward Serrell
References:AAJ, BOB, BPL, HBE, PTS2
Use:Vehicular
Status:Wrecked, 1864
Main Cables:Wire (iron)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 258.8 meters (849 feet)
Deck width:21 feet (AAJ: 19.5 feet)

Notes:

  • Wrecked by wind February 1, 1864. Stay cables beneath the bridge had been disconnected to avoid damage from rising ice. Portions of the cables and deck remained, in a derelict state, as late as 1895. Replacement was not started until the late 1890's.
  • The February 3, 1864 edition of Niagara Falls Gazette describes the wind event: "Partial Destruction Of The Lewiston Suspension Bridge -- A portion of the flooring and other wood-work of the Lewiston Suspension Bridge was blown down during the gale Monday forenoon. It seems that the long guys had been cut during the late ice jam to prevent injury to the structure and thus its strength to withstand a gale was much weakened. The wind swept through the gorge on Monday with terrific force and swayed the bridge so that some of the cross timbers, near the centre were loosened from their fastenings, and fell, of course carrying the floor with them. A large portion at each end, remains without material injury. The extent of the damage -- financially -- we have not yet learned, but we judge from what we hear that it may be about $10,000. The bridge was built in 1852 and cost not far from $40,000. It will doubtless soon be repaired and in use."
  • Later at same location 1899 Lewiston-Queenston - Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada.
  • See 1849 Wheeling (Wheeling and Belmont) - Wheeling, West Virginia, USA. The 1851 Lewiston-Queenston bridge is sometimes claimed to have become the longest in the world with a main span surpassing the length of the Wheeling suspension bridge. However, Don Sayenga notes the length of the suspended span of the Lewiston-Queenston bridge was only 849 feet, not the 1,043 feet sometimes cited. Don writes: "[1,043 feet] was the distance between the towers built high up on the cliffs above the crossing - because there was no space for them below. The roadway suspended from the towers was only 849 feet span over the water from abutment to abutment." Thus, Roebling's Cincinnati bridge should be considered the first to eclipse Wheeling's record main span.

External Links:

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg

1855: Niagara Suspension

Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:51 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1855
Name:Niagara Suspension
Location:Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:John A. Roebling
References:AAJ, BAAW, BBR, BFL, BMA, BOB, BPL, HBE, LIR, NSB, ONF, PTS2, SA18810716, SJR
Use:Rail (heavy rail) and Vehicular (double-deck), with walkway
Status:Replaced, 1897
Main Cables:Wire (iron)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 250.3 meters (821.3 feet)

Notes:

External Links:

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg

1869: Clifton

Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:70 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1869
Name:Clifton
Also Known As:Niagara-Clifton, Falls View, First Falls View
Location:Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:Samuel Keefer
References:AAJ, BPL, HBE, PTS2
Use:Vehicular
Status:Replaced, 1889
Main Cables:Wire (iron)
Main Span:1 x 386.6 meters (1,268.3 feet)
Deck width:10 feet

Notes:

External Links:

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg

1889: Second Falls View

Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:2120 (added 2006-09-17)
Year Completed:1889
Name:Second Falls View
Location:Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:G.M. Harrington, George W. McNulty
Use:Vehicular
Status:Removed, late 1890's
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1

Notes:


1899: Lewiston-Queenston

Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:108 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1899
Name:Lewiston-Queenston
Location:Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Principals:L.L. Buck, R.S. Buck
References:AAJ, BPL, HBE, PTS2
Use:Vehicular and Rail (streetcar)
Status:Replaced, 1962
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 317 meters (1,040 feet)
Deck width:17 feet

Notes:

Postcard, collection of David Denenberg Postcard, collection of Jochem Hollestelle

Castor

Clark Hill Islands, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:319 (added before 2003)
Name:Castor
Also Known As:Burning Springs
Location:Clark Hill Islands, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1

Notes:

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg

Pollux

Clark Hill Islands, Ontario, Canada - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:848 (added before 2003)
Name:Pollux
Also Known As:Burning Springs
Location:Clark Hill Islands, Ontario, Canada
Crossing:Niagara River
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire

Notes:

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg

Sister Island

Niagara Falls, New York, USA - Niagara River
Bridgemeister ID:649 (added 2003-02-17)
Name:Sister Island
Location:Niagara Falls, New York, USA
Crossing:Niagara River
At or Near Feature:Three Sister Islands
References:HBE
Use:Footbridge
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1

Stereoview, collection of David Denenberg Postcard, collection of Jochem Hollestelle.


Do you have any information or photos for these bridges that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


Mail | Facebook | Twitter