Daily Quiz for December 21, 2011

1874. Built by James Eads at St. Louis, the bridge required seven years to construct. It opened to foot traffic on May 23, 1874. Vehicle traffic followed on June 4, and on June 9 the first train attempted to cross it but had to reverse when it was discovered to be too wide for the tunnel on the St. Louis side. In a stunt intended to quiet those who feared the bridge was unsafe, an elephant was led across it on June 14.