Audio
Inlet Bridge Audio Recording
Transcript
In 1882, the US Army Corps of Engineers under the direction of Major Peter Aines began a massive improvement project designed to improve navigation of the Potomac River to create new useful land and control flooding. Included in this project was the creation of a 111-acre Tidal Basin equipped with Inlet and Outlet gates, designed to work automatically with the tides. The gates would allow the basin to fill from the river at high tide, then empty into the Washington Channel at low tide. By 1890, the gates were completed and ready to be tested.
Several years later, plans were made to combine the tidal gates with a bridge, which would allow visitors to drive, walk, or ride horseback around the entire basin. Officials approached prominent local architect Nathan C. Wyatt with the idea in 1908. Wyatt, who would later be named the municipal architect of the District of Columbia designed an ornamental concrete bridge 1844 feet long with a 25 foot wide roadway and two, 7 foot wide sidewalks. Along the sidewalks, two bronze fountains were installed, along with ornamental cast concrete heads. By June of 1910, Inlet Bridge had been completed and would become a vital link in connecting East and West Potomac Parks, especially during the annual cherry blossom festival as visitation by automobiles increased.
Description
he genesis of Inlet Bridge dates to 1887 when engineers began to install gates at the entrance and exit of a newly formed pond.
Duration
1 minute, 31 seconds
Credit
NPS
Date Created
03/28/2015
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