Walnut Street Bridge

Walnut Street Bridge is a steel and stone truss structure spanning the Tennessee River and connecting downtown with the North Shore district. The elevated pedestrian pathway offers views of the river below and the surrounding cityscape.

Engineer Edwin Thacher designed this truss bridge in 1890, creating the region's first civilian highway crossing of the Tennessee River. The structure shifted from vehicle traffic to pedestrian-only use in the late 20th century.

The bridge serves as a central meeting point where locals and visitors gather for outdoor events, festivals, and daily walks across the river. It has become a symbol of urban transformation and community connection in the city.

The bridge is easily accessible from both sides, with direct connections to parks, museums, and dining areas from each end. The flat, well-lit pathway suits walking at any time of day.

The Smith Bridge Company of Toledo manufactured and assembled the entire structure in the 1800s. Leftover stones deemed too small for the main piers were repurposed as walls throughout North Chattanooga, where you can still see them today.

Location: Chattanooga

Made from material: steel, stone

GPS coordinates: 35.06222,-85.30639

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22