Washington Memorial Bridge, Wilmington

The Washington Memorial Bridge in Wilmington spans Brandywine Creek, connecting downtown with Brandywine Village. Completed in 1922, it replaced an aging 1893 metal span and became a vital civic gateway before the construction of Interstate 95. Designed by engineer H. A. Davis and architect Edward P. Torbert, the 720-foot bridge features five open-spandrel concrete arches, with the longest spanning 250 feet. At the time, it was the only bridge of its kind in the state and was praised by Scientific American as possibly the longest low-rise skew arch span in the world.

The bridge was formally dedicated on Memorial Day 1922 to honor the 10,000 Delawareans who served in World War I. A procession of 1,200 girls scattered flowers over the water, and General James H. Wilson delivered a speech recalling his Civil War service. The seventy-two-foot-wide structure was designed to carry electric railcars and heavy truck traffic, balancing utility with a symbolic function as a monument and gateway to the city.

Architecturally, the bridge blends classical elements with industrial power. Its central pillars evoke obelisks or cenotaphs, topped with eagles and accompanied by cut stone railings, Greek urns, and ornamental lanterns. Bronze plaques listing the war deadline on the balustrades, reinforce its role as both a thoroughfare and a place of remembrance.

Though no longer the city’s main northern entry point, the bridge remains a striking historic landmark-an enduring testament to civic pride, architectural ambition, and the memory of those who served.