Delaware River Bridge/ Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Delaware River Bridge Connecting Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ

150 years of independence and progress 1776-1926

Aerial View of Camden, NJ Showing Camden-Philadelphia Bridge 1938

Approach Delaware River Bridge from Camden

Bird’s-Eye View of US Customs House and Delaware River Bridge

Broadway from Bridge Entrance Camden, NJ

Building of River Piers for Delaware River Bridge

Building of the Delaware River Bridge 1926

Delaware River Bridge Between Camden, NJ and Philadelphia, Pa 1954

Delaware River Bridge between Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ

medal commemorating completion of Delaware River Bridge

Delaware River Bridge Connecting Philadelphia, Pa. and Camden, NJ 1953

Delaware River Bridge Connecting Philadelphia, Pa. and Camden, NJ showing RCA Victor Plant

Delaware River Bridge Speed Line opens June 7, 1936

Delaware River Bridge, Bridge Realty Co. – back

Delaware River Bridge, Bridge Realty Co. – front

Delaware River Foot-Path, Philadelphia, PA

Scene on Delaware River Bridge between Phila. and Camden

Entrance to Delaware River Bridge, Connecting Philadelphia, Pa. and Camden, NJ Side

invitation to beginning construction of Delaware River Bridge Jan. 6, 1922

invitation to Delaware River Bridge opening July 1, 1926

invitation to reserved section Delaware River Bridge opening July 1, 1926

medal – Delaware River Bridge Philadelphia Camden

original bolt from Delaware River Bridge

Benjamin Franklin Bridge postcard – donated by Mr. Carl McDermott

Thank you to Benedict Tisa, Harlan Radford, and Carl McDermott for the above scans.

In defending why history matters, historian Penelope J. Corfield argues that “all people are living histories” and “understanding linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good understanding of the condition of being human.” History is not just ‘useful’, it is essential, and further, the study of the past is essential for ‘rooting’ people in time.

Yes, we may aspire to “live in the moment” but we might also understand the context and starting points and remember it took a long evolving history to get everything to NOW.

Contributor Harlan B. Radford, Jr. is one who strives to achieve those goals as he relates a personal family story that kindled a spark of interest and ignited it into a passion to help him understand his past.

The chapter of your life that drives you to collect anything, by its very nature, is intensely personal. Know that the Historical Society of Riverton is interested in displaying items specifically related to the history of Riverton, NJ and the South Jersey region in general which may help us better appreciate our inherited legacy.

Read here, “A Small Metal Object Links Father and Son to an Event and Ignites a Passion for History,” by Harlan B. Radford, Jr.

10-27-2015 vintage pix of bridge construction added