Local History: The Market Street Bridge
     The Market Street Bridge, as we  know it today, connects Kingston and Wilkes-Barre over the Susquehanna River and has survived two major floods since its construction in 1929. The bridge, with its four impressive granite eagles perched on top of the sidewalk archways, was designed by architects Carrere and Hastings in the early 20th century. After years of weathering, the Market Street Bridge was restored to its original beauty in 1986 as a result of extensive cleaning and reconstruction by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
     Long before this impressive solid structure came into existence, travel across the river was much more adventurous. Up until December 1818, the only way to cross the river was by ferry boats during operating hours of sunrise to sunset. Travel during the winter was difficult as the ferry boats were unable to make the short trip across the river during times   of ice build-ups.
     Finally, a toll bridge was completed in 1818 but was badly damaged shortly afterward by high waters. When it was repaired and reopened months later, it only lasted for a few years when it was then destroyed in 1824 by a windstorm. By late 1825, another covered bridge was opened followed by a steel bridge in 1892. The steel bridge was then replaced by the monumental Market Street Bridge we have today.
     Special thanks for information provided by the Luzerne County Historical Society and Sally Teller Lottick’s book Bridging Change– A Wyoming Valley Sketchbook.