The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Bridge is a magnificent engineering achievement, an inspiring piece of Art Deco architecture—and a well-traveled and functioning thoroughfare.
It was originally conceived in 1919 as a tribute to Pennsylvanians who fought in World War I. By the time it was dedicated on August 22, 1930, almost $4 million was provided to construct a memorial to all Pennsylvania veterans.
The bridge, commonly called the “State Street” bridge, was proposed by architect Arnold Brunner as part of the overall Capitol complex. It was designed and executed by architects Gehron and Ross and built by general contractors Charles Strayer of Harrisburg and the James McGraw Co. of Philadelphia.
The grand bridge is long and wide. It measures 2,657-feet, 6-inches long and originally carried a roadway 56-feet wide with 12-foot sidewalks, giving it a total width of approximately 81 feet. In the 1950s, the road was widened, and the sidewalks narrowed, changing the original dimensions.
The bridge contains 17 segmented arches, is made of reinforced concrete and is faced in Indiana limestone. The memorial at the western approach contains two monumental stone pylons each 145-feet high and 16-by-25 feet at the base.
The pylons are topped by two massive Art Deco-style eagles representing the Union, one symbolic of the Army and the other of the Navy. The pylons and other sculpture, including bas relief tanks, cannon, battleships and other armaments, were produced by famed sculptor Lee Lawrie.
A “Memorial Museum” was planned for the plaza underneath the western approach and was to contain the names of all Pennsylvania veterans of World War I, but the onset of the Great Depression prevented further state expenditures on the bridge. The museum was to contain artifacts and “trophies” of all wars involving Pennsylvanians.
The bridge has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark on March 11, 2013, along with all of the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex.
Jason Wilson is a research historian for the Capitol Preservation Committee.
