USS Marblehead, with Old Steel Bridge & Union Station - c. 1905

The USS Marblehead rests in the Willamette River, in front of the original Steel Bridge, which had a rotating center span. The Marblehead received her battle stars during the Spanish-American War, during which she helped capture Guantanamo Bay.

Also visible to the left is the square tower of Union Station, opened in 1896. The bridge shown here was a double-deck swing-span bridge, and was Portland's first railroad bridge when completed in 1888. Its name came from the fact that it was built of steel, rather than wrought iron, which was the typical material of its time.

Portland's current Steel Bridge replaced this one in 1912. Still a double decker, the "new" bridge is now over one hundred years old.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.