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http://hdl.handle.net/11134/110002:536
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Description
The photograph shows twelve elephants and a dense crowd of people standing on a newly constructed bridge in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in order to prove its strength and stability. A handwritten note on the photograph reads as follows: "Highway Bridge, Bpt. Conn. Testing the pivot span with 12 elephants. Designed and built by Dean and Westbrook Builders, New York." The elephants belonged to P. T. Barnum and were brought to the bridge from the circus winter quarters, which were located in Bridgeport. This test, and its opportunity for promotion of Barnum's circus, mimicked a similar event that P.T. Barnum organized in May 1884 in order to reassure the public that the Brooklyn Bridge was safe to cross. In 1883 when the bridge opened, there was a stampede that was caused by a minor accident that set off panic that the bridge was going to collapse. Barnum and others helped to alleviate the lingering fear by marching elephants, including Jumbo, along with camels and dromedaries across the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Measures 12 inches by 10 inches. Photographer unknown. Dates from about 1885 to 1888.
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Use and Reproduction |
Use and Reproduction
This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. Images and data from The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library are intended for public access and educational use only. This material is owned, held, or licensed by The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library and is being provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. All other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires permission of the appropriate department of The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library; fees may be applicable.
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