Benjamin Franklin Bridge Photos

This digital collection was created as part of 100 Years of the Ben Franklin Bridge, a project that explores the construction of the bridge, its opening in 1926, and the reactions to the bridge from stakeholders in Philadelphia and Camden.

Curated by graduate student Jacob Merkord, this digital collection consists of photographs, sketches, and maps related to the history of the bridge. The images were sourced from two archives: Camden Special Collections housed at the Paul Robeson Library at Rutgers and the Photos and Prints Collection at the Historic St. George's Museum and Archives in Philadelphia.

Relatedly, Jacob's collaborator Dante Requena curated images of the bridge from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. See the Phillip B. Wallace Collection of Photographs for images curated by Dante.

Camden Approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Camden Approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
1930 - 1939
Camden Approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, with vehicles
St. George's Methodist Church, 1769
St. George's Methodist Church, 1769
1920 - 1929
St. George's Methodist Church as it stood even with the ground before the construction of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Sketch of the anchorage for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Sketch of the anchorage for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
1920 - 1929
Exagerated artists sketch for a massive bridge anchorage, likely from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge construction in the 1920s.
1715 Footbridge Looking West from Tower A
1715 Footbridge Looking West from Tower A
August 4, 1924
Photo of demilition and bridge construction in Philadelphia for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
1902 St. George's Church, Phila Looking East
1902 St. George's Church, Phila Looking East
November 24, 1924
St. George's Methodist Church as it stood even with the ground during the construction of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
2525 Governors Moore and Pinchot at Bridge Inspection
2525 Governors Moore and Pinchot at Bridge Inspection
November 24, 1924
Governors Moore and Pinchot shaking hands during the bridge construction.
Philadelphia Approach of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Philadelphia Approach of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge
September 1, 1921
Benjamin Franklin Bridge appraoch to Philadelphia, on paper with a newspaper clipping.
New Toll Houses, Stairways "B" to "F"
New Toll Houses, Stairways "B" to "F"
September 30, 1952
New tollhouses going in at the Camden side of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Plans for approach of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia
Plans for approach of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia
May 12, 1921
Plans for the approach of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge done by the Board of Engineers in 1921.
Sidewalk and Driveway at the North End of Police Buiding
Sidewalk and Driveway at the North End of Police Buiding
August 1, 1952
Construction workers repave the sidewalk and driveway at the Police Building
602 Toll House Tunnel, at North Toll House
602 Toll House Tunnel, at North Toll House
March 11, 1952
Constrcuting the toll house tunnel for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Camden.
Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
January 24, 1926
Eclipse over Greater Philadelphia Area in 1925, taken during the Benjamin Franklin Bridge's Construction.
588 North Sixth Street, North Of Linden Street, Repaving Completed
588 North Sixth Street, North Of Linden Street, Repaving Completed
September 2, 1952
Completed repaving in the area excavated for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge toll houses.
2515 Inspection by Commission
2515 Inspection by Commission
March 19, 1926
Inspection crew and onlookers, Ralph Modjeski on left.
2519 Inspection by Commission
2519 Inspection by Commission
March 19, 1926
Bridge inspection crew crosses the bridge, led by a brass band. Some members of the party are carrying American flags.
2435 Suspended Structure - Looking Southwest from Camden
2435 Suspended Structure - Looking Southwest from Camden
October 26, 1925
Suspended bridge structure with the city of Philadelphia in the background.
2546 Paving Bridge Roadwat with Asphalt - Looking Northwest on Phila. Side of Main Span
2546 Paving Bridge Roadwat with Asphalt - Looking Northwest on Phila. Side of Main Span
April 28, 1926
Asphalt being rolled out along the bridge by several small steam rollers
2493 Bridge Roadway Slab - Looking West on Main Span
2493 Bridge Roadway Slab - Looking West on Main Span
February 15, 1926
In progress bridge roadway looking down towards the Philadelphia tower of the bridge.
2474 Camden Approach East from Point St.
2474 Camden Approach East from Point St.
December 7, 1925
View of Pearl Street and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with church.
2421 Bridge Roadway Reinforcing on Main Span East of Phila. Tower - Looking East
2421 Bridge Roadway Reinforcing on Main Span East of Phila. Tower - Looking East
October 8, 1925
Construction of the bridge reinforcing the roadway.
2528 Suspended Structure - Looking Northest from Phila.
2528 Suspended Structure - Looking Northest from Phila.
March 19, 1926
Suspended bridge structure with the city of Philadelphia in the foreground.
2524 Bridge Inspection Party
2524 Bridge Inspection Party
March 19, 1926
Inspection crew and onlookers, Ralph Modjeski in the center.
2482 Camden Approach - Bridge Roadway and Beams for Sidewalk - Looking West from 4th St.
2482 Camden Approach - Bridge Roadway and Beams for Sidewalk - Looking West from 4th St.
January 29, 1926
Construction of the bridge roadway and the sidewalk.
2560 Entrance Camden Approach
2560 Entrance Camden Approach
April 29, 1926
Map of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge's approach to Camden

Visit 100 Years of the Ben Franklin Bridge to learn more about the construction of the bridge and what it meant to Camden and Philadelphia residents.