Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood a few blocks west of Balboa Park is the 102-year old Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, or as locals call it: The wiggly bridge. The bridge was build in 1912 across Kate Sessions Canyon (Kate Sessions is known as the mother of Balboa Park) to connect the Bankers Hill and Balboa Park neighborhoods to the street car lines that were pushing up from downtown.
It was designed and built by two-time San Diego Mayor Edwin Capps who was an engineer as well as a politician. Imagine that! San Diego has had its share of interesting mayors.
The bridge is 375 feet long and floats 70 feet above the canyon floor. It’s a pretty walk in a nice neighborhood.
The suspension bridge sways when you walk on it. Hey, it’s a suspension bridge. Young people like to make it swing even more like these two jumping up and down (image above). If you’re afraid of heights it might not be for you but it’s been there more than 100 years and the city claims that they inspect it every three months so the likelihood of it falling down with you on it are pretty slim. By the way it was designed to support a load of 165 tons…that’s about 2,200 adults.
Some claim that the bridge is haunted. Something about orbs and crisscrossing wires and the several suicides that have occurred here over the years. Kongo didn’t see any ghosts and he’s a sensitive monkey when it comes to spirits. Even bridge spirits. Kongo also peeked underneath the bridge. No trolls either.
The eastern terminus of the bridge is at 1st Avenue and Spruce Street. Swing by and see it sometime. Watch out for wind gusts and groups of teenagers. The bridge is open from 6 am to 10 pm every day and is monitored for suspicious activity 24/7.
Travel safe. Have fun.
It’s always good to check for trolls too. I hear there are plenty in Iceland (will let you know if we see any next June).
You can never be too sure!
I’ve recently discovered this beauty in Lynn Canyon Park. Super narrow — just wide enough for two people on either side — this sweet little rickety guy has all of the charm I’d imagine a bridge in the middle of a forest to posses. With wooden slats instead of solid steel as steps along the path (it was built in 1912, too), the bridge itself has an all at once frightening and magical sense to it. But it’s not haunted as far as I know ,)
Very cool, Kevin. Thanks for sharing.
Great post.
Thanks, Robin.
The bridge visit was such a bad experience as the drunk driver suddenly come from somewhere and crashed into our parked car. There is no security staff at the bridge. My car was damaged badly. I would not recommend anyone for the visit.