I had a blast with the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. First, I was fascinated by how it was squeezed between the buildings on the mainland side. Second, as an early suspension bridge, it has many parts to ensure that it would stay up, which provided more than the average opportunity to attempt to be artistic in photographing it.
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world when it was built. Charles Ellet won the competition to design the bridge over John Roebling. There are some similarities in style between this bridge and Roebling’s Brooklyn Bridge with the stone piers and suspension ropes. Before we walked across this one and read the plaque, we were under the impression that it was a Roebling.
To continue my discussion with the riverfront uses by the bridges I walk, Wheeling has two different trends than those found in Stuebenville. On one side of the river (island side), is riverfront housing of surprisingly old construction. On the other side (city side), is a modern riverfront park with bike trail.