The First Railroad Bridge 1859-1867

This is an engraving from a French magazine "Monde IllustreÌ" of the year 1859.
Image courtesy of Richard Spranz

.....This was the first railroad bridge to Galveston. Quoting from the 1859-60 City Directory:

....."An ordinance, passed August 26th, '57, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad Company, concerning the construction of a Bridge, to be built under the direction of said company, or their engineer, at a cost to the city not to exceed $100,000, the company entering into covenants to place upon the Bridge when built, the superstructure with iron rails, &c., for a railroad; the company also obligating itself to use the bridge when built, and to keep down the interest on the $100,000 cost as it accrues, to always keep it in repair, and finally to pay the principal of the city bonds at or before their maturity, and thus become the owner of the Bridge; and that in case of a failure by the company to meet all their obligations, the city has the right to take possession of the Bridge and appropriate the revenues to the payment of arrears. The Mayor is authorized to issue and negotiate the bonds to the amount of $100,000, as he may think most conducive to the interests of the city, bearing not over 10 per cent interest. interest payable semi-annually, and principal tobe paid in not less than twelve nor more than twenty years."

..... The contract for the bridge was awarded to "Mr Carvin." It was to be completed in November, 1859. At approximately 9,400 feet long, it extended from Eagle Grove on the island, to Virginia Point on the mainland. The bridge was constructed out of cedar and pine. It also had a draw added at an additional cost of $2,500.
..... Mr. A. C. McDonell was awarded a contract for $21,000, on August 30, 1859 to run the rail line from the city limits at Market street to Eagle Grove as the final connection in the link (about 5 miles).
.....The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson RR Company had already constructed the rail link from Virginia Point to Main Street in Houston. Unfortunately at the time of the construction of the bridge and Galveston portion of the link, the Houston side was in need of repair. But a "Mr. Waterman" was expediting the repairs "with all possible dispatch."
..... The rail line continued to Houston and other links were added linking the rail lines to the rest of the state and nation. Over time, the bridge structure was damaged by shipworms and was later destroyed by a storm in 1867. Another bridge was constructed in 1868 that lasted until 1900. Additional bridges were also added by different railroads over time.