The Colorado Street Bridge was designed and built in 1912 at a total cost of $191,000 (equivalent to $5,809,953 in 2023).[2] The bridge was designed by the firm of Waddell & Harrington, based in Kansas City, Missouri. The structure carries Colorado Boulevard (then called "Colorado Street"), the major east–west thoroughfare connecting Pasadena with Eagle Rock and Glendale to the west, and with Monrovia to the east. The Colorado Street Bridge replaced the small Scoville Bridge located near the bottom of the Arroyo Seco. It opened on December 13, 1913.[3] Following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, the bridge was closed as a precautionary measure but was reopened in 1993 after its renovation.[4]
The bridge follows a curved path so that the footings would sit on more solid ground than a straight bridge would have provided.[5][6] The bridge spans 1,468 feet (447 m) at a maximum height of 150 feet (50 m) and is notable for its distinctive Beaux Arts arches, light standards, and railings. The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.[7]
A 1913 view of the Scoville Bridge next to the partially completed Colorado Street Bridge.
During the early part of the 20th century, the Colorado Street Bridge became known locally as "Suicide Bridge" after dozens of people leaped to their deaths.[8] The bridge had a bad reputation before it was even built, as a construction worker fell to his death and landed in the wet cement under the bridge.[citation needed]
The number of deaths spiked during the Great Depression, but did not stop there. According to one of the most popular stories, a mother threw her baby first and then jumped. The child survived, as it landed in a tree unharmed, but the mother died.[citation needed]
The balustrade was replaced by an 8-foot-high (2.4 m) barrier in an effort to deter suicides. Still, on October 27, 2015, British-American model and reality television star Sam Sarpong leapt to his death.[9]
In 2016 a 10-foot-high (3.0 m) chain link fence was installed on the sidewalk inside the balustrade, blocking the seating alcoves which were believed to be the primary route taken by jumpers. In 2017, there were nine deaths. In 2018, there were four by September. After police spent 13 hours successfully negotiating with a would-be jumper, these temporary barrier fences were extended to cover the entire bridge span. The city plans to replace the temporary fencing with permanent barriers, at least 7.5 feet (2.3 m) in height.[10][11]
In culture
One of the earliest films in which the bridge appears is in Charlie Chaplin's The Kid (filmed 1919–1920), when a mother is shown at the east end of the bridge pining for her son at about the 12-minute mark. In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California, the bridge was declared a seismic hazard and closed to traffic. It was reopened in 1993 after a substantial retrofit. The bridge is closed each summer for a festival, A Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge, hosted by historic preservation group Pasadena Heritage.[12]
The 1984 album Songs from Suicide Bridge by Eric Caboor and David Kauffman is named after this bridge. The album's iconic black-and-white cover art features the duo standing on the bridge holding their instruments.[13]
The bridge is featured in an episode of Fear Factor. The stunt, named "Bridge Hang", required contestants to hang from a trapeze bar hoisted over the edge of the bridge for as long as they could to avoid being eliminated.[14] Host Joe Rogan does not refer to the bridge by name; rather, he says “This bridge used to be known as Suicide Bridge. Don’t worry, we’re not gonna ask you to jump off of it. Instead, we’re gonna ask you to hang on for dear life.”
The 2012 Lana Del Rey song "Summertime Sadness" for the album Born To Die filmed parts of its music video on the bridge. Actress Jaime King is seen climbing over a section of the bridge and then jumping off later in the video.
The bridge was the site of the beginning of The Amazing Raceseason 21. The contestants had to rappel down the side of the bridge to their waiting cars to start the race.[15]
In the 2016 romantic musical film La La Land, the protagonists took an evening stroll across the bridge.[16]
In the 2008 film Yes Man, the bridge was featured in a scene where actor Jim Carrey attempts a bungee jump.[17]
The bridge is featured in an episode of Emergency!, "To Buy or Not To Buy", as they rescue a kid who climbed on the bridge.
Gallery
The Colorado Street Bridge next to the bridge for the Ventura Freeway, also known as the Pioneers Bridge.[18][19]
The Colorado Street Bridge, with the San Gabriel mountains in the background, around 1920.
1913 view looking north at the Colorado Street Bridge under construction and the Scoville Bridge behind.
1914 Colorado Street Bridge just completed and the Scoville Bridge, later washed away by a flood.
The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view of side of bridge at night with lights on.
The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at sunset from the park underneath.
The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view from underneath.
The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at sunset from underneath, showing hiking trail and lights on top of bridge.
The Colorado Street Bridge 2020; view at night underneath with passing traffic and park lights.
![The Colorado Street Bridge next to the bridge for the Ventura Freeway, also known as the Pioneers Bridge.[18][19]](/en/File:2010-1101-06-ColoradoStBridge.jpg)
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