I parents live within a 5-mile drive from that location. I don't think the commenters understand how windy that place is. The wood may look more sturdy but it's also a wind sail. The thin "toothpick" structure was most likely designed to allow the wind to pass through without blowing the bridge down.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 7 months ago (1 children)

There's an easy solution to make bridges stable in windy conditions:

(That bridge was built from 1846 to 1851 and it's still used today)

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

And how do you propose you get all those bricks to some remote pass in Wyoming in the late 19th century? There was 21,000 (non-native) people living in an area larger than the entire United Kingdom in 1880.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I mean... A train?

I get you though; built with what's readily available to meet the needs of the time.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 7 months ago

I laughed out loud at this. Thank you.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

It's not jist about what's readily available either. A giant brick viaduct would require thousands if workers, housing, food, and sanitation for them. On top of that, the army would have to dedicate a full company ti protecting the workers due to the risk of attack from natives. The logistics just make it impossible for such a remote area back then.

[–] Everythingispenguins 12 points 7 months ago

Windy in Wyoming, color me shocked 😲