BRIDGES OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

The location of the current John Philip Sousa Bridge across the Anacostia River in Washington, DC, was one of only two bridges envisioned in the original 1791 L’Enfant Plan for the layout of the Federal City, and it was the only one of those two bridges that was actually constructed in the early years of the city. L’Enfant envisioned a bridge at what is now East Capitol Street, yet that bridge was not constructed until about 150 years later. However, the bridge that L’Enfant planned as an extension of Pennsylvania Avenue was constructed shortly after 1800.

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Like most of the District’s bridges, the bridge at Pennsylvania Avenue underwent multiple generations of destruction and re-construction. The first bridge was burned by the Americans in 1814, in an attempt to blockade the British Army from entering Washington. The bridge was re-built, but was accidentally burned by sparks from a passing river boat in 1845. A replacement was not constructed until 1890, when a steel deck truss bridge was constructed. That bridge was eventually replaced by the current steel-plate girder bridge in 1940.

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The bridge is not of unusual construction or substantially decorated, but it is not unattractive. The steel-plate girders on the Sousa Bridge are curved, giving the bridge profile a pleasant, scalloped appearance. In addition, the white sides of the Sousa Bridge are clean, with no rust stains, making the eighty-four year-old bridge appear almost new. Another pleasant feature is that the sidewalks are lined with attractive, steel railings and tall lampposts with geometric designs. At the ends, the top of the piers along the sidewalk are made of carved granite, with benches, and decorative name and date plaques engraved into the stone.

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The northern landing of the bridge crosses the West Bank Trail and CSX rail lines, then passes through Barney Circle, named for Joshua Barney, a Revolutionary War veteran who played a prominent role for the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812. From there, Pennsylvania Avenue leads directly into through a residential neighborhood to the Capitol Building. On the southern landing, the shore of the Anacostia in both directions is Anacostia Park, consisting of grassy lawn areas, the East Bank Trail, and the locally-famous Pirate Ship Playground.

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I did not include the Sousa Bridge in my Bridgespotting books. However, it may make an appearance in something soon!