The Colorado Street Bridge, a majestic structure soaring 150 feet above the Arroyo Seco, has captivated travelers since its completion in 1913. Upon its debut, it was acclaimed as the world’s highest concrete bridge, a testament to early 20th-century engineering prowess. This iconic landmark dramatically eased passage across the rugged Arroyo Seco, which previously demanded a laborious descent and ascent for horse-drawn wagons navigating the steep slopes and a small creek crossing at Eagle Rock Pass. The challenging topography made the Colorado Street Bridge project a significant undertaking from its inception.
The engineering hurdles presented by the seasonally wet Arroyo Seco bed were overcome by the ingenuity of engineer John Drake Mercereau. His innovative solution was to curve the bridge 50 degrees southward. This strategic curve, combined with an aesthetically pleasing design featuring soaring arches and a gracefully curved deck, transformed a functional structure into a work of art. The Colorado Street Bridge has since been honored with both a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark designation and a listing in the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance in engineering and architectural history. Mercereau’s structural design employed spandrel construction to support the bridge’s 28-foot-wide roadway and adjacent five-foot sidewalks. This system utilizes support columns resting upon the expansive arched ribs of the bridge, distributing weight and enhancing stability. Adding to its aesthetic appeal, Mercereau incorporated classical balusters and ornate cast-iron lamp posts, each supporting multi-globed lamps, reflecting the architectural styles of the era.
The construction of the Colorado Street Bridge spanned 18 months, a considerable feat given the technology of the time. Materials were transported down the steep gorge sides primarily by horse carts. Historical records indicate the extensive use of approximately 11,000 cubic yards of concrete and 600 tons of steel reinforcing in the bridge’s construction. A single cement mixer on site poured concrete in half-yard increments into the hundreds of wooden forms that shaped the bridge’s distinctive arches, girders, spandrels, and decorative elements. The total construction cost amounted to a quarter of a million dollars, a significant public investment celebrated by thousands of Pasadena residents at its grand opening.
The Colorado Street Bridge played a pivotal role in connecting Pasadena to Los Angeles, fostering Pasadena’s growth and development in the early 20th century. Traffic volume on the new bridge quickly became substantial. However, its two-lane width proved insufficient, and by the 1930s, it was already considered inadequate for the increasing traffic demands. The bridge served as part of the famed Route 66 until the Arroyo Seco Parkway’s completion in 1940 provided a more modern traffic solution. Sadly, the Colorado Street Bridge also developed a somber reputation as “suicide bridge.” The first recorded suicide jump occurred in 1919, and tragically, numerous subsequent deaths followed, particularly during the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Estimates suggest that over 100 individuals have ended their lives by leaping from the bridge into the Arroyo Seco below throughout its history.
Despite its historical listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, the Colorado Street Bridge had fallen into disrepair by that time. Concrete pieces occasionally crumbled from its ornate arches and railings, posing safety concerns. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, the bridge was closed as a precautionary measure to assess structural integrity. A collaborative effort involving Federal, State, and local funding sources eventually provided $27 million for a comprehensive renovation project. The Colorado Street Bridge triumphantly reopened in 1993, meticulously restored to its original ornate glory and equipped with a suicide prevention rail to mitigate further tragedies.
Beyond its engineering and historical significance, the Colorado Street Bridge is also shrouded in local lore. After appreciating the bridge’s architectural grandeur, locals might whisper stories of hauntings. Numerous spectral figures are rumored to roam the bridge and the Arroyo Seco beneath, adding an eerie dimension to its already rich history.
The Colorado Street Bridge gracefully spans the Arroyo Seco, forming part of Colorado Blvd., situated just south of the Ventura Freeway and nestled between North San Rafael Ave. and North Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena, California. For a unique perspective of the bridge from below, take West Holly St. west from North Orange Grove Blvd. and then turn left onto Arroyo Dr., which merges with North Arroyo Blvd. to pass directly beneath the bridge’s impressive arches. Pasadena Heritage, a local advocacy organization, celebrates the bridge’s legacy by hosting a popular summer festival directly on the Colorado Street Bridge, temporarily closing it to vehicle traffic and transforming it into a pedestrian space for community enjoyment.
To delve deeper into the history of the Colorado Street Bridge and learn more about the annual summer festival, please visit the Pasadena Heritage website.
For detailed documentation and historical records, refer to the Colorado Street Bridge National Register nomination form.
