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George S. Morison

(Chief Engineer of the Blair Bridge)

George S. Morison

George Shattuck Morison (1842-1903) a graduate of Harvard, perfected his knowledge of engineering while serving as Chanute’s principal assistant on the Erie Railroad. From 1880, Morison “devoted his attention for the next fourteen years to consulting practice.” He built in rapid succession more than a score of great railroad bridges:

Nine over the Missouri at:

Plattsmouth
Bismarck
Blair
Omaha
Rulo
Sioux City
Nebraska City
Atchison
Leavenworth
Bellefontaine Bluffs

Five over the Mississippi at:

Winona
Burlington
Alton
St. Louis
Memphis

Other bridges

one over the Ohio at Cairo
two over the Snake River in Washington
one over the Columbia River in Washington
one over the Willamette at Portland, Oregon
one over the St. John’s at Jacksonville, Florida
and many smaller bridges in all parts of the United States

Considering the magnitude and difficulty of most of the projects, this record stands unrivaled in the history of bridge construction. The Missouri River was regarded as the most treacherous stream in the country to bridge, and little precedent existed for such work. The perfection of methods for handling the pneumatic foundation work involved in these projects was one of Morison’s most notable achievements. This period also marked the transition from wrought iron to steel in bridge construction, and Morison was the great pioneer in the use of the latter metal. The Memphis bridge, the longest truss span in America when completed, practically set the standard for later steel bridge specifications.

“At the time of his death he stood at the very pinnacle of the engineering profession. He was regarded as the leading bridge engineer in America, perhaps in the world, and had an international reputation as an expert in railways and waterways.”D.A.B., VII, p. 191.

Construction Images from Morison’s bridges

Plattsmouth Bridge – Built in 1880

Over the Missouri River east of Plattsmouth, Nebraska by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.

Bismarck Bridge – Built in 1881

Over the Missouri River at Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota by the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Blair Crossing Bridge – Built in 1883

Built over the Missouri River east of Blair, Nebraska by the Sioux City & Pacific railroad.

Omaha Bridge – Built in 1887

Built over the Missouri River east of Blair, Nebraska by the Union Pacific Railroad In March 1868 Union Pacific announced that a bridge would be built between Omaha and Council Bluff. The bridge was built and in use by March 1873. .In 1877 the east side of the bridge was damaged by a cyclone, but not irreparably so. The bridge was, however, completely rebuilt in 1886 by Morison, and was completely rebuilt once again in 1916.