Thursday evening I went to the Atwater Kent Museum for a talk on the Walnut Lane Bridge. It is its 100th year anniversary. At the time The bridge was built it was an engineering wonder. The talk inspired me to go out to the Wissahickon Creek and see it. When it was built the word that the designers and engineers used to describe the union of form and function was beautility; beauty and utility. In 1908 the word must have resonated. The goal of the project was to build a bridge that aesthetically fit into nature.
Upon seeing it I realized how many times I either walked or biked under it. I have always appreciated its grandeur, and with this added history the human element became alive.
This bridge and the Wissahickon Creek are Philadelphia treasures for all people to enjoy!
Below are websites you may want to browse for more complete information:
http://www.walnutlanebridge.org
http://www.preservationalliance.com
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/tour_atwater.htm
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