Yes, once upon a time this held up part of a suspension bridge. The structure went up in 1855, and held a walkway on the bottom and a railroad on the top. By the way, John Roebling - of Brooklyn Bridge fame - designed this bridge. Here's the fun part of the story: It was a way for African Americans to finish a trip on the Underground Railroad and arrive in Canada as free people. Harriet Tubman was one of those "conductors." By the way, once slavery was outlawed after the Civil War, Tubman moved to Auburn.
By the 1890s, it was time for a better bridge to go up. So the Suspension Bridge came down, and the Whirlpool Bridge was finished in 1897. You can see it in the photo to the left.
By the way, this is close to the Underground Railroad Heritage Center, located across the street and a little north.
Let's get in the time machine:
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