Grand Avenue Bridge

This is postcard view of the Grand Avenue Viaduct as seen from the southwest about 100 years ago.

The Grand streetcar crossed this bridge. The normal location for streetcar tracks was in the middle of the street, but as the tracks approached this bridge they shifted to the curb line. This permitted the use of lighter floorbeams (cross members) to support the deck since two streetcars could not load the center of the floorbeam at the same time. This track layout caused some traffic problems as the streetcars shifted from the middle of the roadway to the curbline and then back again.

I was just describing that bridge to my daughter the other day as we were driving around.

We called it the Grand Avenue Viaduct. It crossed the railyards just south of SLU. I used to go to the eye doctor in a large office building near SLU. Grandma would make an appointment for 4 o'clock or so. She would give me two dimes. One for the streetcar ride from St. Mary's HS to the Dr. office and one for the ride home. I had to use the first one to get there on time. But when I came out I had all the time in the world and a dime in my pocket. So I always walked from SLU to Humphrey Street. As I neared home there was a Velvet Freeze at Grand and Connecticut. I alays stopped and got a two dip Swiss Chocolate cone. Yummy.

I still remember crossing the bridge . The outer "sidewalks" consisted of huge creosoted planks. They were about 10 feet long (width of the sidewalk) and were probably 2X8's. The thing is they were loosish and had gaps between them. You could look straight down and see the trains and tracks about 100 feet below you. And the boards kind of moved under your feet. You can see the walkways on the picture.

I would like to cross that bridge and get a two dipper at VF one more time.