Wheeling Suspension Bridge WV

Kate Adams

Wheeling Suspension Bridge WV


The National Road: West Virginia
Wheeling Suspension Bridge
Wheeling and the National Road is home to one of the greatest engineering achievements in American History. The nearly 170 year old Wheeling Suspension Bridge is the oldest operating suspension bridge in the world. The bridge was the first to span a main channel of the Ohio River (1). In 1836, a two span covered bridge opened over the back channel of the Ohio in Wheeling. This bridge crossed at the site of an 1893 truss and modern day bridge that carries Route 40 over the back channel to this day! (2)

The story of the bridge was amplified by a bidding and design war between two prominent suspension bridge designers, Charles Ellet, Jr. and John Roebling. The two rivals would compete for the commission until Ellet’s design won out in 1847. The 1,010 foot bridge took two years to complete. It opened on October 20, 1849, although the official grand opening would take place on November 15. The bridge was immediately put into service as a toll bridge.

The Terrific Storm

On May 17, 1854, a violent gale destroyed most of the bridge with much of the span crashing into the Ohio. One account of the collapse read:

“For a few moments we watched it with breathless anxiety, lunging like a ship in the storm; at one time it rose to nearly the heighth of the towers then fell, and twisted and writhed, and was dashed almost bottom upward. At last there seemed to be a determined twist along the entire span, about one half of the flooring being nearly reversed, and down went the immense structure from its dizzy heighth to the stream below, with an appalling crash and roar. Nearly the entire structure struck the water at the same instant dashing up an unbroken column of foam across the river, to the heighth of at least forty feet! ” (3)

Many have compared the 1854 collapsed to that of the famed 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The collapse ended Ellet’s turbulent career as a bridge designer and builder. To repair the span, Roebling, who had since gained national acclaim for his railroad bridge over the Niagara River, was commissioned to rebuild the bridge at a cost of $42,000 (4).


To preserve the structure and keep it usable, the bridge would have major repairs done in 1956, 1982, and 1999. It has received numerous awards and honors including:
  1. National Historic Engineering Landmark; 1969
  2. National Historic Landmark; 1975
  3. National Register of Historic Places; 1980
    credits Gribblenation.com
    Nikon D200×18-200 Nikkor lens
    3 shots HDR processed in Photomatix and then enhanced ps

Wheeling Suspension Bridge WV belongs to the following groups:

! ♥ The "Heartland" Group ♥ !, All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes and Rivers, Americas ~ Rural, Urban, Wild, Free, Bridges, First Things, Friends, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Ohio Photographers Group, Outsiders, Rivers and Streams, Rural Around The Globe, Rustic, Shameless Self-Promotion, The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄ and TPW (3 PER DAY ONLY) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Wheeling Suspension Bridge WV by Kate Adams
  • Nancy Chambers

    Nancy Chambers

    Stunning Kate. :)

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks you so much Nancy:))

  • Fern Design

    Fern Design

    So beautiful!!! love it..

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks I appreciate it very much:))

  • Dave7074

    Dave7074

    Kate you are just so talented my friend, beautiful like always. Dave

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Dave!! thanks so much my friend for your great comments:))

  • vadim19

    vadim19

    Gorgeous, Kate! Such an atmospheric image with the wonderful treatment.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so very much Vadim – always love your comments:))

  • BigD

    BigD

    Excellent treatment, Kate

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much “D” – always enjoy the US history:))

  • LjMaxx

    LjMaxx

    Kate this is gorgeous. Such a fine job you did on this.. Super!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Well thank you very much Lj and for the fave, I am honoured – so glad you liked it – I always enjoy history:))

  • Angel Perry

    Angel Perry

    WOW Kate!!! Awesome!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Angle nice to see you, thank you so much for the great comments:))

  • LudaNayvelt

    LudaNayvelt

    WOW, FANTASTIC TREATMENT , KATE!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Luda so pleased you like it, did it a couple of weeks ago but was so unsure about it – different for me – thank you so much:))

  • Rick & Deb Larson

    Rick & Deb Larson

    A beautiful capture of this historical bridge (and a great write up), well done!! Take Care ~ Rick & Deb ~ :)

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Guys!! thanks so much for the great comments:))

  • Jonice

    Jonice

    Awesome Girl!!!! Jonice

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Jonice – it’s a very interesting old bridge:))

  • WayoftheWarrior

    WayoftheWarrior

    Awesome

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Tony:))

  • MichelleR

    MichelleR

    Fantastic image. I like it.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Michelle nice to see you – thank you so much for the great comments:))

  • RickF

    RickF

    Great capture!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you very much Rick for the great comments:))

  • stephaniek

    stephaniek

    Wow…..looks so surreal….............Excellent!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much Steph – my blue house was close to this:))

  • Tina Longwell

    Tina Longwell

    Fabulous Kate!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Tina,very much appreciated:))

  • Margaret  Shark

    Margaret Shark

    Love the history, but even more the image. Beautifully done.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Margaret, very much appreciated:))

  • Victoria Sheldon

    Victoria Sheldon

    Totally gorgeous Kate!!!!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks you so much Victoria, very much appreciated:))

  • Philip Johnson

    Philip Johnson

    Hi Kate
    great shot, would you do me a favour , for me to accept it into the HDR Photography group would you be able to add to the description details on the HDR process Things like tripod/hadheld, number of exposures (settings if you can remember), software used etc etc

  • Kate Adams replied

    My apologies Phillip, I have edited.

  • Svetlana Sewell

    Svetlana Sewell

    Love it, love it, love it Kate! my instant favo!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Lana! thank you so much for the great comments and I am honoured you made it a fave – thank you again:))

  • Svetlana Sewell

    Svetlana Sewell

    I am still here – its fabulous work!

  • Kate Adams replied

    hahahaha!! you are so funny – you made me smile!!

  • Linda  Syms

    Linda Syms

    Fabulous shot.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Linda and also for stopping by – you also have some stunning images:))

  • Virginia N. Fred

    Virginia N. Fred

    Very very nice

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Virginia for the great comments and fave – I am honoured:))

  • CynLynn

    CynLynn

    wonderful Kate, and great info! super work, love it!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Cindy – many thanks for the great comments- I really appreciate it:))

  • Nancy Chambers

    Nancy Chambers

    Nice Kate. :)

  • Kate Adams replied

    Whoohoo!! thanks so much Nancy – you made my day!!

  • Lucindawind

    Lucindawind

    Awesome ! its so beautiful

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you very much Lu and for the fav so happy you like it:))

  • melant1017

    melant1017

    Outstanding capture, congrats on your TPW feature :-)

    ~A

  • Kate Adams replied

    Whooohoo!! thank you so much Antonio – I am so thrilled:))

  • Mindy Miller

    Mindy Miller

    Very nice shot my friend!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much again Mindy – very much appreciated:))

  • maxy

    maxy

    This is so beautiful! Huge congratulations on your feature!

  • Magnum1975

    Magnum1975

    Amazing work here. Well done.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you for the lovely comments:))

  • Yool

    Yool

    Totally beautiful shot!!!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much my friend:))

  • Carol Barona

    Carol Barona

    Oh Kate, this is fantastic work! Instant FAV!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Carol and for the fave I am honored:))

  • Angie McKenzie

    Angie McKenzie

    wonderful detail!! great capture kate!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Angie! thank you for the wonderful comments and fave I am honored:))

  • Steve  Liptrot

    Steve Liptrot

    Well processed petal. Def fave!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Steve thanks so much I appreciate that very much:))

  • SimplyScene

    SimplyScene

    Lovely image. A fave.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much for the great comments and fav, I am honored:))

  • Peter  Lessey

    Peter Lessey

    Beautiful photo Kate, the post processing is just outstanding.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks for the lovely comments Peter and for the fav – I am honored:))

  • DawsonImages

    DawsonImages

    Nice view, mastering HDR?

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Mike – always appreciated:))

  • Edward Henzi

    Edward Henzi

    Hi Kate, great shot of this old bridge. Love your historical story about it too.
    It sure looks ancient. Nice work. Ed

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much Ed – it is a very old town and bridge, it was only when I drove over it I noticed, but they have kept it so well maintained and unless they build a new bridge – it will probably last for years to come:))

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much for the fave also Ed!!!

  • Prasad

    Prasad

    This is great!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks my friend:))

  • Tibby Steedly

    Tibby Steedly

    Wonderful shot and effects! Congratulations on your feature!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks again Tibby, very much appreciated:))

  • Kasey Cline

    Kasey Cline

    WOW That is incredible! I love the comp and the HDR is perfect! YOu nailed this one my friend!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much Kasey – hope you are feeling better now:))

  • WJPhotography

    WJPhotography

    Gorgeous work kate

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks you again Wendy, always appreciated:))

  • cdudak

    cdudak

    Kate this is awesome, love the effects and coloring here.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi Kay! – thanks so much for the comments and fav I am honored:))

  • Katagram

    Katagram

    wow, this rocks…I am not a huge fan of HDR (ask Kasey, she will tell you LOL), but it works well with this shot..love the size and grandeur of the bridge..beautiful job ! !

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi again Kat!! – thanks for the great comments:))

  • John44

    John44

    Excellent job dearest Katie
    Been in Bristol and there is a similar..
    Clifton’s suspension bridge
    Smiles from Europe
    John

  • Kate Adams replied

    Hi dearest John – wonderful to see you again – thanks so much for smiles from Europe – smiles back to you!!

  • mlynnd

    mlynnd

    Kate, this is beautiful!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Lynn, I appreciate the great comments:))

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    It is a beautiful image Kate!
    Congratulations on your wonderful feature in AMERICAS ~ Rural, Urban, Wild, Free

  • Kate Adams replied

    Whooohoo!! thank you so very much – you have made my day!!:))

  • Brendan Schoon

    Brendan Schoon

    WOW, excellent image, perfectly done.
    Brendan

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks for the great comments Brendan:))

  • Ilan Cohen

    Ilan Cohen

    I like the composition. Beautiful.

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much for the great comments llan – happy you stopped by:))

  • Glenna Walker

    Glenna Walker

    This is so beautiful Kate…splendid capture!!!!!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thanks so much again Glenna:))

  • Michael Kienhuis

    Michael Kienhuis

    Sensational work

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Michael for the great comments and fave – I am honored:))

  • Wayne Cook

    Wayne Cook

    Oh, my gosh! A MASTERPIECE!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Wayne for the comments and fave, I am honoured:))

  • Antonia Diewold

    Antonia Diewold

    Ahh i Love the Effects of all your Photos!!!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Antonia- glad you enjoyed it:))

  • Jeff Palm Photography

    Jeff Palm Phot...

    This looks like a fabulous painting! Excellent work!

  • Kate Adams replied

    Many thanks Jeff:))

  • foxyphotography
  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much I am thrilled:))

  • Jonice

    Jonice

    kate…this is a awesome shot! Jonice

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you so much Jonice:))

  • Deon de Waal

    Deon de Waal

    This is just plain brilliant

  • Kate Adams replied

    Thank you again and for the fav, very much appreciated:))

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