Skip to main content

1826

Granite Railway
Society: ASCE Main Category: Civil Sub Category: Rail Transportation Era: 1800-1829 DateCreated: 1826 Quincy and Milton State: MA Zip: 02169 Country: USA Website: http://www.asce.org/Project/Granite-Railway/ Creator: Bryant, Gridley

The Granite Railway Company of Quincy was the first commercial railway in the United States. Incorporated in 1826 and designed by Gridley Bryant, the railway relied on horses, rather than steam locomotives, to draw the cars along the tracks. Its primary purpose was to transport granite from Quincy to build the Bunker Hill Monument. 

YearAdded:
1975
Image Credit: Courtesy Library of Congress Image Caption: The Granite Railway Company of Quincy was the first commercial railway in the United States. Era_date_from: 1826
Menai Suspension Bridge
Society: ASCE Main Category: Civil Sub Category: Bridges Era: 1800-1829 DateCreated: 1826 Menai Bridge Isle of Anglesey State: Wales Zip: Country: UK Website: http://www.asce.org/Project/Menai-Suspension-Bridge/ Creator: Telford, Thomas , Hazledine, William

Built between 1819 and 1826, the Menai Bridge was the major structure on Britain's strategically important Holyhead Road connecting London with Holyhead and by sea to Ireland. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge's main span was 579 feet from tower to tower, the longest that had ever been attempted at this time. He used four sets wrought-iron eyebars to suspend the deck. These were made by William Hazledine at his Upton forge near Shrewsbury. Each bar was carefully tested in his Coleham shops before being pinned together and lifted into place.

YearAdded:
2002
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Ingy the Wingy (CC BY-ND 2.0) Image Caption: Menai Suspension Bridge Era_date_from: 1826
Conwy Suspension Bridge
Society: ASCE Main Category: Civil Sub Category: Bridges Era: 1800-1829 DateCreated: 1826 River Conwy State: North Wales Zip: Country: UK Website: http://www.asce.org/Project/Conwy-Suspension-Bridge/ Creator: Telford, Thomas

When a new road bridge was constructed alongside it, plans were made to demolish the Conwy Suspension Bridge. There was a national outcry and, since 1958, the bridge has been in the care of the National Trust and closed to vehicular traffic.

YearAdded:
2002
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Verity Cridland (CC BY 2.0) Image Caption: Conwy Suspension Bridge Era_date_from: 1826
Subscribe to 1826
Conwy Suspension Bridge

When a new road bridge was constructed alongside it, plans were made to demolish the Conwy Suspension Bridge. There was a national outcry and, since 1958, the bridge has been in the care of the National Trust and closed to vehicular traffic.

Designed by Thomas Telford in the…

Read More
Menai Suspension Bridge

Built between 1819 and 1826, the Menai Bridge was the major structure on Britain's strategically important Holyhead Road connecting London with Holyhead and by sea to Ireland. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge's main span was 579 feet from tower to tower, the longest that had ever been…

Read More
Granite Railway

The Granite Railway Company of Quincy was the first commercial railway in the United States. Incorporated in 1826 and designed by Gridley Bryant, the railway relied on horses, rather than steam locomotives, to draw the cars along the tracks. Its primary purpose was to transport granite from…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support this 70-year tradition of trusted historical writing and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to American Heritage.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.