Cowen Park Bridge
historic place
The Cowen Park Bridge is a significant reinforced concrete arch bridge in Seattle, Washington. Located in King County, this structure carries 15th Avenue Northeast across a ravine within Cowen Park. The current bridge, measuring 358 feet in length, was erected in 1936. It replaced earlier crossings, including a wooden trestle built in the early 1900s. The 1936 bridge was constructed under the authority of the Works Progress Administration, with Clark Eldridge as the bridge engineer. It connects the Roosevelt and Ravenna neighborhoods with the University District. The bridge is recognized for its Art Deco light standards. As a structure built prior to modern seismic design codes, the bridge has undergone seismic improvements to enhance its resilience. The Cowen Park Bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated city landmark. Its construction during the Works Progress Administration era reflects a period of significant public works investment in the United States, and its continued maintenance highlights its ongoing importance to city infrastructure.