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All the United States Maryland Cabin John Union Arch Bridge

Union Arch Bridge

The bridge's highly-contested plaque (once again) honors Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Cabin John, Maryland

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Brett Iredell
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Union Arch Bridge, today.   Moreau1
Sketch of the dedication without Jefferson Davis’ name.   Washington Post
View of Union Arch Bridge, “Cabin John,” Maryland,1863.   U.S. Government/Public Domain
Streetview on top of the bridge   Map Data © 2016 Google
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Although at one time this masonry arch bridge outside of Washington, D.C. was the longest of its kind in the world, it has become better known for the controversial names on its dedication plaques than the engineering feats of its construction.

The Union Arch Bridge was part of the Washington Aqueduct, planned after a fire broke out in the Capitol building and there wasn't a ready supply of water to fight it. Construction on the bridge began in 1857, and while work moved along smoothly, there was no shortage of drama and political intrigue going on behind the scenes.

The Civil War broke out in 1861, the year the bridge was completed. One of the primary architects of the bridge, Army Corps of Engineers officer Alfred Rives, resigned and joined his native state of Virginia in the Confederacy. The other, officer Montgomery Meigs, had his name removed from a dedication plaque on the bridge and replaced it with the Latin phrase “Esto Perpetua” or “Let it last forever."

Another plaque commemorating the bridge listed the names of government officials who started the project and those in office when it was finished. However the Secretary of War when the project began was Jefferson Davis, who was now infamous as the president of the Confederate States of America, whose constitution legalized and protected slavery. The decision was made to remove his name from the plaque as well.

By the early 1900s, Southern politicians began lobbying to have Davis' name carved back into the bridge. Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his last acts as president, ordered that Davis' name be returned to its original place.

Although officially dedicated as the Union Arch Bridge, over time the bridge became more well known as the Cabin John Bridge, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Cabin John Aqueduct. Whatever you want to call it, it was clearly constructed well, still carrying water to Washington, D.C. from the Potomac River, as well as vehicle traffic the engineers couldn't have anticipated.

Related Tags

Bridges Politics Civil War History Engineering Plaques

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The one-lane bridge is on MacArthur Boulevard between Cabin John and Glen Echo. There is parking along the side of the road before and after the bridge.

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Added By

WhiskeyBristles

Edited By

Elliot Carter, Meg

  • Elliot Carter
  • Meg

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February 17, 2017

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Arch_Bridge
  • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042004795.html
  • http://www.streetsofwashington.com/2010/04/pride-and-prejudice-names-on-cabin-john.html
Union Arch Bridge
7394-7398 MacArthur Blvd
Cabin John, Maryland
United States
38.972761, -77.14866
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Nearby Places

USDA Rammed Earth House

Cabin John, Maryland

miles away

Glen Echo Amusement Park

Bethesda, Maryland

miles away

Magruder's Blacksmith Shop

Bethesda, Maryland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cabin John

Cabin John

Maryland

Places 2

Nearby Places

USDA Rammed Earth House

Cabin John, Maryland

miles away

Glen Echo Amusement Park

Bethesda, Maryland

miles away

Magruder's Blacksmith Shop

Bethesda, Maryland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cabin John

Cabin John

Maryland

Places 2

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