File photo of the Sutliff Bridge. Photo by Mark Christian.
Historic Sutliff Bridge has Collapsed
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Jun 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jun 13, 2008 at 2:14 PM CST
SUTLIFF - The historic sutliff bridge has collapsed. We'll bring you more updates as they become available.
From SutliffBridge.com:
On September 11, 1999, the Sutliff bridge with its three arching steel spans over the Cedar river received its due recognition. It was on this date that the Johnson County Iowa Board of Supervisors placed the 102 year old structure on the National Registry of Historic Places.
County representatives presented the certificate, commemorating the historic nature of the bridge, to the members of the Sutliff Bridge Authority. Its years of service to Sutliff natives and others was recognized with a plaque which is now proudly displayed in Willie's Bar & Grill.
The massive iron bridge was constructed in 1898 at the crossing of Sutliff's ferry, operated by Allan C. Sutliff. History has it that a sandbar formed in the river which eventually made the ferry unworkable. This caused a great deal of inconvenience for locals who would then have to travel many miles to the next crossing in order to get to the county seat in Iowa city.
In 1897 the contract for the bridge was awarded to J.R. Sheely & Co. of Des Moines, Iowa. The winning bid was a whopping $12,000. The bridge was completed and accepted by Johnson county in April of 1898, with dedication on June 3rd.
This was the first bridge to cross the Cedar at this location and proved an effective replacement of the Ferry service. The structure is a 827'x16'8" span wood trestle with a 27'x16' east approach. Upon its retirement in 1981, it was one of only a few remaining Parker trusses known in existence in Iowa.
It is one of the longest, if not the longest Parker trusses in the state. The Sutliff Bridge Authority, under the leadership of long time Sutliff resident Raymond Brannaman, leased the bridge from the state in 1984. Construction of the new Sutliff bridge, known as the Cilek bridge was completed in the fall of 1983. The old bridge now offers its visitors a one of kind view of the fast flowing Cedar river as well as a nice place to sit and visit with friends and family alike.
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Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:14 PM Lisa T. wrote ...
I grew up with that bridge. We went to the tavern/store nearly every weekend, back when you could drive over the bridge, boards flapping up and down. As a kid, I was sure every time we drove across that we'd end up falling through. I still remember the sound the planks made under car tires. My family and I joined the bridge authority to help preserve it, and we'd visit almost every time I came home. I loved that bridge. Heartbroken that it's gone. Though happy it meant to much to so many.
Tuesday, Jun 17 at 9:58 PM L Herman wrote ...
Okay, I wrote that song about the Sutliff bridge. Called "Ode To the Sutliff Bridge" Hear it on my myspace site - Dancetime With Linda & Roland. I'm still in shock.
Sunday, Jun 15 at 1:21 PM Craig wrote ...
I've enjoyed the bridge with my friends for years.It's a great place for a Sunday afternoon ride, there's allot of memories there. It's also the place were my future wife and I first kissed. We were suppose to get married there next summer. It will be sorely missed my many.
Saturday, Jun 14 at 6:31 PM Amy Buscher wrote ...
I was saddened to hear about the Sutliff Bridge. I have very fond memories of visiting the town of Sutliff with my family. God Bless, Amy in Des Moines, Iowa.
Saturday, Jun 14 at 5:12 PM John Altshuler wrote ...
I now live in Colorado but used to ride my motorcycle down to Sutliff all the time. The bridge will be missed and I can only hope the famed meeting place will remain. If you are in Colorado - email me and we can have a memorial beer to celebrate the memories of Sutliff here in Denver Colorado. john.altshuler@gmail.com
Saturday, Jun 14 at 5:09 PM Helen wrote ...
extremely sad. there must be rich iowans out there who might consider donating money for such a cause... has there been any noise about efforts to start raising money?
Saturday, Jun 14 at 11:53 AM Bud Mellicker wrote ...
In the seventies I drove a beer truck and Sutliff was a once a week delivery for me. We actually drove the truck across the bridge a couple of times but towards the end I would park on one side, walk across to take the order, then wheel the cases of beer across to the store. So sad to hear of it's demise.
Saturday, Jun 14 at 10:02 AM matt wrote ...
my wife and i met on that bridge,my family lives in sutliff. it's just so frustrating that we can't beat that river.
Saturday, Jun 14 at 9:17 AM J.B.D. wrote ...
Very sad news. I took my roommate and girlfriend there on a Indian summer day in late October and we soaked up the sun and the beauty of the bygone era that the bridge represented. She called me late yesterday to tell me that the bridge had been destroyed by the flood and, like me, was greatly saddened.
Saturday, Jun 14 at 9:08 AM Blue Grass Cacher wrote ...
Anybody know if the geo and Terracaches are still available?
Saturday, Jun 14 at 2:07 AM Linda Herman wrote ...
My dad had a farm near Sutliff. I feel like I've lost an old friend. What a great bridge. Loved the old planks and the sign that once read "No loads over 4 tons - Loads under 4 tons travel at your own risk". The area will not be the same. I wore my "Bridge" shirt tonight while playing music for a dance in remembrance of the bridge and had the pic of the water on the bridge. I'm still in shock. Love from Seal Beach, California
Saturday, Jun 14 at 12:04 AM Kristin Simon wrote ...
Hello from New Mexico, but my heart is in Iowa! My grandparents had a farm about 3 miles east of Sutliff....my dad and I would walk to Sutliff to get the paper on Sundays, when I was a kid in the 50's. What an adventure! We could still drive across the bridge in those days to get to Solon....very scary with those rattling boards! I still love Iowa and my heart breaks to hear that the Sutliff bridge is no more.
Friday, Jun 13 at 10:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I'm going to miss it a lot. It was always really fun to eat at the bar and take a walk on the bridge.
Friday, Jun 13 at 6:51 PM Karl wrote ...
This bridge was part of my childhood. I remember driving over it and watching the planks go up and down as the tires went over them. Later on in college it served as a great stopping point on canoe trips. Great memories. What a shame.
Friday, Jun 13 at 4:34 PM Anonymous wrote ...
This is sad. What a great place to soak up the sunshine and drink cold beer. At least the bridge went down under "natural causes". People have really rallied behind that bridge before to save it. It's just sad.
Friday, Jun 13 at 4:18 PM Ben wrote ...
is there a way from West Branch to Cedar Rapids
Friday, Jun 13 at 3:52 PM Emil wrote ...
Any ideas on how I can get to CR tomorrow? is the Ely road open?
Friday, Jun 13 at 3:27 PM Jennifer Clark Gonzalez wrote ...
Hearing this news finally brought tears; fond childhood and adult memories and a family history are centered around that bridge.
Friday, Jun 13 at 3:23 PM jkoch wrote ...
Too bad J.R. Sheely can't rebuild it for the original $12,000. M.B., as your '77 classmate, I pronounce "shame on you" to leak the old secret! Legal age is now 21. Now the tavern will be forced to "card" all clients. Between the loss of the bridge and under-age clients, the tavern is sure to go bust. Bikers everywhere will mourn, but have no beer to cry into. Dear, dear.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:59 PM Jane Baker Hardin wrote ...
I hate to see all of the Cedar Rapids area being torn apart, but when I heard that the Sutliff Bridge went down, my heart dropped. It's a part of history from high school, when my brother, Mike, used to hang out, and where, as an adult, we went for a special pork tenderlolin to eat. It's peaceful there. Friendly. It won't be the same with a gaping hole there! I pray there is no damage to the tavern.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:56 PM Jerilyn Scott wrote ...
I too am saddenend by this loss. my parents took our family down to this bridge by boat from Ivanhoe since the late 60's, where we have a cabin that is being flooded.Truely a loss but the memories will never fade.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:47 PM Laurie Sutliff wrote ...
I grew up in Cedar Rapids and often visited the Town of Sutliff... I live in Colorado now, and learning of this loss really saddens me. I was in Sutliff back in 1999 when it made the National Registrar. My 3rd great grandfather founded Sutliff, Iowa. It's something I'm really proud of... my heart is sad learning of the bridge collapsing. God Bless you all...
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:34 PM A Sad Day wrote ...
I too am saddened by this. I have ridden my bicycle out there many times over the last few years and it was my favorite place to be on a warm summer day. It will be missed.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:32 PM jude smith wrote ...
I'm so sad by this great loss. I grew up crossing and playing on the bridge. This is my roots and I can't thank KCRG enough for wonderful coverage.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:19 PM Philip Shimerda wrote ...
We here in San Antonio, TX are also disappointed to hear that the bridge is gone. Our family is from the immediate area, and always enjoyed our yearly visits and family reunions back in Iowa, which always seemed to end up at the bridge. It's really sad, for all of us formerly from the area, to see all of the destruction throughout the region. Our hearts go out to everyone effected by the flooding. Good luck to ya'll.
Friday, Jun 13 at 2:04 PM Brent wrote ...
How sad. :( I always loved driving out to Sutliff and hanging out on the bridge and watching the river go by.
Friday, Jun 13 at 1:54 PM RJ wrote ...
has anyone heard anything about the sutliff store?
Friday, Jun 13 at 1:24 PM Mary Bryan wrote ...
I am saddenend by this loss. I first met this great landmark in 1973 while attending Cornell College. It was the only place to buy beer on Sunday and we'd drink it on the river bank. You could still drive over the bridge then. Since then I have taken many photographs of the bridge with different photography groups.
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