John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge Kentucky USA Postcard

This postcard features the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Covington, Kentucky. This bridge between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, OH opened to traffic on January 1, 1867. The first charter for the bridge was given to the Covington-Cincinnati Bridge Company by the Kentucky Legislature in 1846. Due to opposition mainly from ferryboat operators and steamboat companies, approval was delayed by the Ohio legislature. There was also concern that the bridge would possibly facilitate the movement of slaves attempting to escape slavery. The Bridge Company chose John Roebling as chief engineer to design and build the bridge. The construction began in 1856 but after a widespread financial downturn, the work halted in 1858. In the spring of 1861, the war began. The spinning of the cables began in 1865 using wrought iron from England. The bridge was open to pedestrian traffic in 1866 and the formal opening of the bridge was on January 1, 1867. In June, 1869, while doing some surveying, John Roebling's foot was crushed. Twenty-four days later, at the age of 63, he died of lockjaw. W.Roebling, his son, was appointed to succeed his father as chief engineer on the Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy your new John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge Kentucky USA Postcard!