101.
March 15, 1930. The north cable toward the east anchorages. The catwalks to the cable are tipped over to the right on account of the sun lengthening the side of the cable next to the sun and letting it sag down.
Poughkeepsie Mid-Hudson Bridge Construction
The idea for the Mid-Hudson Bridge was introduced to the New York State Legislature in 1923 by J. Griswold Webb and John M. Hackett. At that time, the only bridge across the Hudson River south of Albany was the Bear Mountain Bridge.
A great deal of lobbying was done by citizens in the Poughkeepsie area for a vehicular span, due to the efforts of the Hudson Valley Bridge Association. The Association consisted of a broad cross-section of local leaders, ranging from business people to civic groups to area clergy. One of the strongest proponents of a bridge in Poughkeepsie was a Catholic priest by the name of Monsignor Joseph Sheahan, who served as the pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in Poughkeepsie at the time.
Governor Alfred E. Smith signed bridge legislation in 1923, appropriating $200,000 to provide surveys, specifications and other preliminary work. The New York State Department of Public Works was charged with the job of constructing the span while the design of the bridge was awarded to Modjeski and Moran.
Ralph Modjeski, one of the most celebrated bridge designers in America in the 20th century was already familiar with the area because of his work on the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge. His gothic design brought the Mid-Hudson Bridge much praise, described as “superbly beautiful…the span is one of the very finest American suspension bridges,” by Daniel Plowden in his 1974 book Bridges. When it first opened, the bridge won recognition as the most beautiful suspension bridge in this part of the country. In 1983, the Mid-Hudson Bridge was honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a New York State Civil Engineering Landmark.
The opening day celebration on August 25, 1930 was officiated by Governor and Mrs. Roosevelt, former Governor and Mrs. Smith and Poughkeepsie Mayor Lovelace. The celebration included a parade, official dedication ceremony in Union Square, clambake, music, a block dance and fireworks. At 5:30 P.M., Mrs. Smith cut the ribbon on the east side of the span while Mrs. Roosevelt cut the ribbon on the west. An auto procession began from both sides and met in the middle. On that first day, 12,000 automobiles and 30,000 pedestrians crossed the Mid-Hudson Bridge for free.
The 127 stereographs in this collection were obtained on Nov. 15, 2008 at Hyde Park Country Auctions, Salt Point, Dutchess County, NY at an auction of material from the estate of Capt. John Miller of Poughkeepsie, NY. He lived to age 102 and was a world-renowned test pilot and aviator. He was also the elder brother of Lee Miller, the American photographer and photojournalist. These stereographs were likely made by Lee’s father, Theodore Miller. Various individuals are identified in the images including a few of John Miller.
102.
April 5, 1930. From the top of the east tower looking west showing the suspender cables in place.
103.
April 5, 1930. The Separator Works and the south cable and catwalk from the north catwalk.
104.
April 5, 1930. From the east tower toward Poughkeepsie. Miriam Hicks nearest and Florence farthest walking down the catwalk beside the north cable.
105.
April 5, 1930. From the top of the east tower toward Poughkeepsie and New York Central railway station. Miriam Hicks beside the north cable.
106.
April 5, 1930. The Separator Works and the south cable and catwalk from the north catwalk. [Duplicate]
107.
April 12, 1930. Separator Works from the south cable saddle on top of the east tower.
108.
April 12, 1930. The east tower. Viola and Donald Sweetser and Mr. Van Wagner.
109.
April 12, 1930. From the top of the east tower toward Poughkeepsie.
110.
April 12, 1930. Near the east tower looking toward Poughkeepsie. Viola Sweetser beside the north cable.
111.
April 15, 1930. East anchorage showing the fanning out of the groups of wires where they attach to the “I” bars forming the anchorage.
112.
April 15, 1930. Erecting the stiffening trusses for the roadway. Note the distortion of the cables and the catwalks due to the uneven loading of the steel work.
113.
April 19, 1930. Amory Hull and Herman Vanderwater on the catwalk of the north cable just adjacent to the east pier. Three hundred and fifteen feet above the water.
114.
April 28, 1930. Showing the catwalks and a gap in the steel work near the center of the river span from College Hill.
115.
April 28, 1930. East anchorage of the north cable.
116.
May 2, 1930. Joining the lower cord of the river span from the Moline Plow Company.
117.
June 21, 1930. The work train on the east span, the center strip of concrete having been laid.
118.
June 21, 1930. West approach and assembly yard for wood concrete forms and reinforcements.
119.
June 31, 1930. From the west side concrete distribution tower. Loading a car.
120.
June 21, 1930. Industrial railway and reinforcement in the center strip, looking east.
121.
June 26, 1930. Intercollegiate boat races. The fleet of observation boats ready for the race with the bridge under construction in the background.
122.
June 28, 1930. About the middle of the river span looking toward Poughkeepsie. Only the center strip of concrete has been laid and a part of the cable wrapped. The low hung scaffold is for riveters.
123.
June 28, 1930. Viola and Don Sweetzer on the bridge near the center of the river span.
124.
June 30, 1930. Cable wrapping machine in operation.
125.
Aug. 6, 1930. An Olympian Airway flying boat which made a forced landing on account of engine trouble.
126.
Aug. 6, 1930. Removing the catwalks.
127.
Aug. 25, 1930. Ex-Governor Al Smith, who laid the corner stone of the bridge in 1925 when he was Governor, making an address at the opening of the bridge.