You might see a familiar face next time you travel from Rock Island to Davenport on the Government Bridge. Today, Bechtel Trusts and the City of Davenport unveiled a sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, at Bechtel Park on 2nd Street.
Sarah Ritter reports.
Summary
The Government Bridge was the first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River. It was built when steamboat companies despised railroads, fearing the competition they'd face.
And in 1856, a steamboat ran into the bridge, resulting in $50,000 in damages and a lawsuit. Attorney Abraham Lincoln represented the Rock Island Railroad Company, and the case was dismissed.
Richard Bittner, Chair of the Bechtel Trusts, says the lawsuit brought Lincoln a lot of national attention, and helped lead to his election as president. So two years ago, the foundation hired an artist to create a sculpture, reflecting Lincoln's connection to the bridge.
Bittner says the statue at Bechtel Park stands in the exact same spot where Lincoln studied the case. The sculpture is called "Lincoln with Boy on Bridge." The boy's name is Bud. He was the son of an engineer, and answered Lincoln's questions about the bridge.
Davenport Aldermen, city staff, and sculptor, Jeff Adams, celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony- the first for new Mayor Frank Klipsch.
Bechtel Trusts also announced new scholarships for students, who wrote essays and created websites about the history of the Rock Island Railroad bridge.