[3] It was severely damaged by a tornado and replaced in virtually the same location by the Second Hannibal Bridge.

Construction started in 1867, shortly after the end of the American Civil War,[4] and was completed in 1869.

After hearing of the proposed bridge at the City of Kansas, Joseph Tomlinson contacted Chanute and they corresponded on how best to cross the Missouri River.

It was a swing bridge that could open in under two minutes, and had an arched truss design.

In 1886, the bridge was severely damaged by a tornado that collapsed a middle span.