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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.
Related Links
List of crossings of the Missouri River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Man for All Bridges — George Shattuck Morison: Designer of the Portage High Bridge
Article by Tom Breslin, October 2002
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.
Rulo Bridge – Built 1885-1889
Built over the Missouri River east Rulo, Nebraska by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
Nebraska City Bridge – Built in 1889
Built over the Missouri River east of Nebraska City by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
Cairo Bridge – Built in 1889
Built over the Ohio River at Alexander County, Illinois, and Ballard County, Kentucky.
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