Not on the AIA’s 150 Favorite Architecture list: Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge
Last week I learned that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) had polled Americans asking for their favorite structures across the USA. The AIA results had been released and the Empire State Building was named the number one favorite.
According to an article from Reuters, the AIA President, R.K. Stewart said,
“The choice of the Empire State Building shows that when you ask people to select their favorites, they chose buildings and designs that symbolized innovation and the spirit of their community — but also, more importantly — they chose structures that hold a place in their hearts and minds.”
I carefully looked over the list, checked it twice, and did not see any listing for architecture in Chattanooga. But, when I think about the standout architecture in Chattanooga, there is a certain structure that does hold a place in my heart and mind.
The Walnut Street Bridge is probably the signature landmark structure that many people think of when they think of Chattanooga. Even with the recent waterfront renovations, the bridge is still a frequent destination for Chattanooga natives and tourists.
The bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. It was built in 1890 and 116 years ago today (February 18, 1891) it opened to the public, as a streetcar line and automobile connector for downtown and the North Shore.
In 1978, the bridge was closed because of its severe deterioration. In 1990 the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1991, after $4 million dollars, the Walnut Street Bridge reopened as a pedestrian bridge.
Today the 2,730 feet offer visitors a delightful walk, run, or bike ride. At the same time they are offered a views of the Tennessee River, Market Street Bridge, Veterans Bridge, The Hunter Museum, Coolidge Park, The Tennessee Aquarium, the Olgiati Bridge, Ross’s Landing, The Passage, The Southern Belle, and MacLellan Island.
The first time I visited the Walnut Street Bridge was in 1994 during my freshman orientation. It was evening and the bridge was lit with many lights. An accordion player was playing, couples were walking hand in hand, and a warm breeze blew making the night seem magical and steeped in romanticism.
I visited there today and the though the wind was biting, the same romantic feeling crept through me. Just like the AIA president said, the Walnut Street Bridge holds a place in my heart and mind and to me, the number one architecture structure in Chattanooga is the Walnut Street Bridge.
[tags] Chattanooga, Chattanooga bridge, Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga history, bridges [/tags]
February 19th, 2007 at 7:03 am
[...] For Alli Crumley, Chattanooga is home. It may not be on the American Institute of Architects top list of architectural favorites, but the Walnut Street Bridge over the city’s Tennessee River holds a special place in her heart. [...]
February 19th, 2007 at 7:36 am
[...] For Alli Crumley, Chattanooga is home. It may not be on the American Institute of Architects top list of architectural favorites, but the Walnut Street Bridge over the city’s Tennessee River holds a special place in her heart. [...]
February 19th, 2007 at 7:59 am
[...] For Alli Crumley, Chattanooga is home. It may not be on the American Institute of Architects top list of architectural favorites, but the Walnut Street Bridge over the city’s Tennessee River holds a special place in her heart. [...]
February 19th, 2007 at 11:53 am
[...] IntrovertGirl in literary Toronto, Jen Miner with the best brunches in New York City, Andrea Dickson interviews seamstress sui generis/designer Amy Doan, aka Shrinkle, Local Girl takes her young daughter to Ko Olina Beach, Brad is tracking the progress of a North Bank condo, Kathy Maister offers a mouth-watering tour of the Copley Square Farmer’s Market, Carole talks about how San Diego football coach Schottenheimer was fired and Alli writes about Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge. [...]
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
[...] Alli gives us a glimpse of the Walnut Street Bridge at Chattanooga is Home. [...]
February 24th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Nice bridge. I love these old bridges. We have several in our area. None as big or as nice as that one, but they bring back a gentler time. here from SFC
March 4th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
[...] For Alli Crumley, Chattanooga is home. It may not be on the American Institute of Architects top list of architectural favorites, but the Walnut Street Bridge over the city’s Tennessee River holds a special place in her heart. [...]
March 19th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I have a nice Walnut Street Bridge photograph from 1980 from the Market Street bridge facing east at sun up.
It was before the Veterans Bridge. I used to sell them at the Color Cruise but I have never let anyone publish it on the web except on my own site which I am rebuilding at the moment. If you are interested email me and I will ship the photo to look at. I would like to have it locked so no one could download it though and or copyright it by me. Wayne