Today in Wheeling History: October 20--The first official crossing of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge took place when Charles Ellet, Jr., the civil engineer who designed and supervised construction of the bridge, drove a carriage over its entire length (1849).
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River was completed on October 20, 1849. That same day, the bridge's architect Charles Ellet Jr. made the first official crossing by riding a horse and buggy across the entire span. Large crowds gathered on both sides of the river to witness the event. As Ellet drove the vehicle steadily across the bridge, he was saluted with cannon fire and cheers from the admiring spectators. When he reached the opposite shore, he was greeted with more huzzahs for successfully completing the daring feat. The successful crossing of architect Ellet marked the completion of the bridge that would connect Wheeling, Virginia and Wheeling Island over the Ohio River. (https://tinyurl.com/mrn2hft5) (https://tinyurl.com/3z2uuj7a) (https://tinyurl.com/48ew9z2d) (https://tinyurl.com/4t94esmp)
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River was completed on October 20, 1849. That same day, the bridge's architect Charles Ellet Jr. made the first official crossing by riding a horse and buggy across the entire span. Large crowds gathered on both sides of the river to witness the event. As Ellet drove the vehicle steadily across the bridge, he was saluted with cannon fire and cheers from the admiring spectators. When he reached the opposite shore, he was greeted with more huzzahs for successfully completing the daring feat. The successful crossing of architect Ellet marked the completion of the bridge that would connect Wheeling, Virginia and Wheeling Island over the Ohio River. (https://tinyurl.com/mrn2hft5) (https://tinyurl.com/3z2uuj7a) (https://tinyurl.com/48ew9z2d) (https://tinyurl.com/4t94esmp)
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