Schmitz Park Bridge

Schmitz Park Bridge is an Art Deco road bridge that crosses a heavily forested ravine using a concrete box cell structure as its foundation. The span was engineered to support both vehicle and pedestrian traffic while maintaining connections between the two sides of the wooded valley.

Engineer Clark Eldridge designed this bridge in 1936 as a replacement for an earlier timber-truss structure, featuring a new concrete box beam technology. Federal funding from the Public Works Administration program supported its construction during that era.

The bridge earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and received designation as a Seattle Landmark in 1981.

The bridge is open daily for vehicle and pedestrian use without special requirements for typical visitors. Walking across it provides views of the wooded ravine and surrounding park landscape below.

When completed, this structure was significantly longer than comparable bridges of its time due to its innovative rigid frame system. This engineering approach made it a notable example of bridge design during that era.

Location: Washington

Architects: Clark Eldridge

Architectural style: Art Deco

GPS coordinates: 47.57720,-122.40200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:14