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Story Bridge - History in Pictures

By Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland | 15 June 2015

The construction of the cantilever bridge began in 1935 and was completed and opened to traffic in July 1940. The length of bridge including the approaches is 1375 m. More than 95% of the steel was manufactured in Australia and the bridge was constructed by Evans, Deakin-Hornibrook Construction Co. Pty Ltd. State Library's collection contains hundreds of images of the iconic bridge, from its construction forwards. Here's a sample...

Photo of the Story Bridge site Brisbane 1931

Photograph of the Story Bridge site, Brisbane, 1931. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0002

Initial concept for the Story Bridge by J. J. C. Bradfield Brisbane Queensland 1934

Initial concept for the Story Bridge by J. J. C. Bradfield, Brisbane, Queensland, 1934. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 68343

Diver inspects the foundation at Pier 26E Story Bridge, Brisbane, 1936.

Diver inspects the foundation at Pier 26E Story Bridge, Brisbane, 1936. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0059

Concrete pouring during the construction of the Story Bridge, Brisbane 1936

Concrete pouring during the construction of the Story Bridge, Brisbane 1936. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0107

Early stages of the Story Bridge construction Brisbane ca. 1937

Early stages of the Story Bridge construction, Brisbane, ca. 1937. 7708 George Jackman Photograph Albums. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 7708-0001-0060

Fortitude Valley approach to the Story Bridge construction ca. 1938

Fortitude Valley approach to the Story Bridge construction ca. 1938. APE-75 Story Bridge Photograph Album 1938-1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: APE-075-0001-0007

Northern end of the Story Bridge, February 1938

Northern end of the Story Bridge, February 1938. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0229

Story Bridge under construction, 1938

Story Bridge under construction, 1938. North main pier, main posts and tower traveller of the Story bridge as seen from the south main pier during construction.The Howard Smith Ltd., and Australian Steamships Pty Ltd. wharves can be seen alongside the base of the north pier. All Hallows' School stands prominently in the background on the left. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 185343

Kangaroo Point during construction of the Story Bridge Brisbane 1938

Kangaroo Point during construction of the Story Bridge, Brisbane, 1938. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 93477

Story Bridge Brisbane, March 1938

Story Bridge, March 1938. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0234

In this view the northern superstructure is presented, linked with prominent buildings in the Petrie Bight approach to Queen Street, Brisbane (Information taken from The Queenslander, 30 March, 1938). John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 52389

Story Bridge Construction Crew 1938

Breathtaking view of Brisbane enjoyed by the riggers on the Story Bridge construction crew, ca. 1938. APE-75 Story Bridge Photograph Album 1938-1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 
Image number: APE-075-0001-0017

Story Bridge Brisbane, August 1939

Story Bridge, August 1939. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0261

Bridge fitters posing on the framework of the Story Bridge, Brisbane, ca. 1939.

Bridge fitters posing on the framework of the Story Bridge, Brisbane, ca. 1939. APE-75 Story Bridge Photograph Album 1938-1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: APE-075-0001-0015

Southern end of the Story Bridge, July 1939

Southern end of the Story Bridge, July 1939. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0312

Aerial shot of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge in 1939

Brisbane River and Story Bridge 1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 60915

Photo of the Story Bridge being built in 1939

Story Bridge, September 1939. 28452 Story Bridge Construction Photograph Album. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28452-0001-0321

Construction is almost completed on the Story Bridge Brisbane October 1939

Construction is almost completed on the Story Bridge, Brisbane, October 1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 150513

The almost-completed Story Bridge, links Kangaroo Point on the right to Fortitude Valley and New Farm on the left. The suspended span is being joined with a centre panel (1939)

The almost-completed Story Bridge, links Kangaroo Point on the right to Fortitude Valley and New Farm on the left. The suspended span is being joined with a centre panel (1939). John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 185329

Story Bridge crew on the last day of construction ca. 1939

Story Bridge crew on the last day of construction ca. 1939. APE-75 Story Bridge Photograph Album 1938-1939. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: APE-075-0001-0023

Governor of Queensland cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Story Bridge Brisbane 1940

Governor of Queensland cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Story Bridge, Brisbane, 1940. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 92427

Story Bridge historical photo from 1950

Story Bridge Brisbane ca 1950. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 204244

Story Bridge lights for the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. (Image in copyright)

Story Bridge decorated for the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. 30588 Brisbane Royal Visit Glass Colour Slides. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: lbp00003

Traffic on the Story Bridge Brisbane 1959. (Image in copyright)

Traffic on the Story Bridge, Brisbane 1959. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 201204 (Image in copyright)

Aerial view of the Main Street approach to the Story Bridge Kangaroo Point 1963. (Image in copyright)

Aerial view of the Main Street approach to the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point, 1963. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 34488. (Image in copyright)

Story Bridge spanning the Brisbane River ca. 1975. (Image in copyright)

Story Bridge spanning the Brisbane River ca. 1975. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 204286. (Image in copyright)

Story Bridge viewed from Petrie Bight Wharves 1981 (Image in copyright)

Story Bridge viewed from Petrie Bight Wharves, 1981. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 204239. (Image in copyright)

Firework display above the Story Bridge in Brisbane, Queensland, 2010. Photographer: Cathy Schusler. 27882 Cathy Schusler Photographs 2010. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 27882-0001-0022 (Image in copyright)

Onlookers viewing the rising floodwaters from Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane during the January 2011 flood. Photographer: Josie Huang. Brisbane Flood 2011 Photographs. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.Image number: 27858-0001-0056

You can viewed more images of the Story Bridge via our One Search catalogue.

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