Waddell & Harrington has a rich history that spans over 60 years, with the company being established in 1957 by two visionaries, Fred Waddell and John Harrington.
The company's early beginnings were marked by a focus on delivering exceptional investment services to its clients, a commitment that remains unchanged to this day.
Waddell & Harrington's commitment to innovation led to the development of its first mutual fund in 1967, a pioneering move in the Canadian investment industry.
This groundbreaking fund was a significant milestone for the company, and it paved the way for Waddell & Harrington's continued growth and success.
Broaden your view: Philadelphia Savings Fund Society
Notable Projects
Waddell & Harrington has designed some truly iconic bridges across the United States.
Their notable projects include the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, Oregon, which spans the Willamette River and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Interstate Bridge, another notable project, connects Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, spanning the Columbia River.
For more insights, see: Union Bridge Company
Some of their notable bridges have been demolished over time, such as the Iowa Central Railway Bridge over the Mississippi River in Illinois, built in 1909.
Other notable projects include the Caddo Lake Bridge in Mooringsport, Louisiana, and the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Here are some of Waddell & Harrington's notable bridges:
- Hawthorne Bridge, spanning the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, NRHP-listed
- Interstate Bridge, spanning the Columbia River between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington; NRHP-listed (as the Portland–Vancouver Highway Bridge)
- Caddo Lake Bridge, LA 538, over the Caddo Lake Mooringsport, LA, NRHP-listed
- Colorado Street Bridge, Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA, NRHP-listed
Biographies
Waddell & Harrington was a renowned engineering firm that designed notable bridges in the United States. They are particularly famous for their work on the Lakeshore and Michigan Southern Bridges.
Historic American Engineering Record considers these bridges to be the most notable and central railroading symbol for Chicago, the railroad capital of North America.
John Lyle Harrington, one of the firm's founders, has a short but impressive historical biography available for viewing.
A unique perspective: International Engineering Company
John Alexander Low Waddell Historical Biographies
John Alexander Low Waddell, also known as J.A.L. Waddell, was a renowned movable bridge engineer. He developed the Waddell and Harrington vertical lift bridge design in 1892.
For your interest: Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company
Waddell's innovative design was refined in partnership with John Lyle Harrington, also an engineer. Together, they designed many varieties of movable bridges in the early twentieth century.
The Stillwater Lift Bridge, constructed in 1931, is a notable example of Waddell's design. It features a 10-span bridge with a movable span of the Waddell and Harrington vertical lift type.
The Stillwater Lift Bridge is significant as a rare surviving example of vertical-lift highway bridge construction of the Waddell and Harrington type. Only six vertical-lift highway bridges were built in Minnesota and Wisconsin prior to World War II.
Here are the notable bridges designed by Waddell and Harrington:
The Stillwater Lift Bridge and concourse are located within the Stillwater Cultural Landscape District.
History and Significance
The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a remarkable example of Waddell and Harrington's engineering prowess, constructed in 1931 to carry State Highway 36 over the St. Croix River.
This 10-span bridge features six steel Parker through truss spans, one movable span of the Waddell and Harrington vertical lift type, and three concrete slab approach spans.
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The Stillwater Lift Bridge was originally developed by renowned movable bridge engineer J.A.L. Waddell in 1892 and refined in partnership with John Lyle Harrington.
The lift span is raised and lowered by steel cables passing over sheaths at the top of steel towers mounted on the span's piers, ensuring easy movement.
The bridge is counterweighted by concrete blocks that travel up and down within the tower framework.
The Stillwater Lift Bridge is significant as a rare surviving example of vertical-lift highway bridge construction of the Waddell and Harrington type.
Only six vertical-lift highway bridges were built in Minnesota and Wisconsin prior to World War II.
At least five of these bridges were designed by Waddell and Harrington or successor firms, all of the standard Waddell and Harrington type.
The Stillwater Lift Bridge and concourse are located within the Stillwater Cultural Landscape District.
Intriguing read: Waddell & Reed
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