Niagara Clifton Bridge

Niagara Clifton Bridge
Print by Currier and Ives of the bridge and American Falls
Followed by	2nd Falls View Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Suspension Bridge with Cable Stays
Total length	1,268 ft (386 m)
Width	10 ft (3 m) expanded to 17 ft (5 m) in 1887-1888
Height	100 ft (30 m)
Longest span	1,268 ft (386 m)
History
Construction begin	Winter 1867-1868
Construction end	December 29, 1868
Opened	1869
Collapsed	January 9, 1889

The Niagara Clifton Bridge, also known as the first Falls View Suspension Bridge, was a suspension bridge over the Niagara River between Niagara Falls, New York and Clifton, Ontario. It was designed by Samuel Keefer, with construction starting in 1867. It was officially opened for traffic on January 2, 1869 and was destroyed in a storm on the night of January 9, 1889.

Replacement

Shortly following the collapse of the first Falls View Suspension Bridge, a second bridge of the same design was ordered to be built. Construction began on March 22, 1889 and erection work took only 38 days to complete. It was opened on May 7, only 117 days after the preceding bridge disaster. The second Falls View Suspension Bridge was dismantled in 1898 when construction of the Honeymoon Bridge was complete. The dismantled bridge was moved to Queenston–Lewiston where it was re-erected and became the second Queenston–Lewiston Bridge and remained in service until 1962 when it was replaced with a larger and more modern bridge. The suspension bridge was finally dismantled and sold to a Buffalo, New York firm.