It was designed in 1927 by Paul Philippe Cret, a nationally acclaimed Philadelphia architect, in collaboration with Frank M. Masters, engineered by Ralph Modjeski and Clement E. Chase.

It was designed to accommodate a lower deck, never constructed, to be used by trolleys or a subway extension to Roxborough.

[2] Shortly after its completion, it was renamed the Wissahickon Memorial Bridge and was dedicated to the people of Philadelphia's northwest neighborhoods who served in World War I.

Beginning in 1941 for an unknown duration of time a policeman patrolled the span, questioning all pedestrians walking the bridge.

This article about a property in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.