St. Johns Bridge, 1930

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A spectacular 1930 image of the St. Johns Bridge during construction. The main cables and suspender cables are in place waiting for the deck to be hung. “Cables Manufactured and Erected by Roebling” refers to the John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, whose founder designed the Brooklyn Bridge. In the distance, below the center cable span, you can see the old vernon standpipe which was moved from Northeast Portland in 1920.

(City of Portland Archives)

8 thoughts on “St. Johns Bridge, 1930”

  2. The 1930’s were a “golden era” for bridges in Oregon. Think of all the beautiful spans on 101 along the coast.

  5. Chris –

    Just a shot in the dark here, but that might be the Sauvie Island Ferry, which ran until the Sauvie Island Bridge opened in 1950?

  7. I can make out the name “Multnomah” on the ferry. A Google search on “multnomah ferry” pulls up this site: http://www.cimorelli.com/cgi-bin/magellanscripts/ship_dates_volume.asp?ShipName=Multnomah+%28ferry%29. which , citing the Tacoma Public Library claims the following:

    “Multnomah (ferry)
    Another Northwest ferry, the 109 -foot Multnomah, formerly in service on the Columbia, but made surplus by the completion of the St. Johns Bridge, was taken on an even longer ocean cruise in April. The ferry was taken in tow at Portland by the ocean tug Mamo of Young Bros. Ltd., who had purchased the ferry, and taken to Hawaii for operation between Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and Ford Island. Capt. I. (Bob) Purdy of the Mamo rigged a towing bridle clear around the ferry’s hull, making it fast to the sternpost, the gear standing up well to the 2,322-mile ocean tow and the Multnomah arriving safely to become the first automobile ferry in Hawaiian service. Gordon Newell, Maritime Events of 1933, H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest., p. 422.”

  8. Great pic and great bridge.

    Note the several men walking on the cables!

    Anybody know where the ferry landings were?

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