November 7, 2013 · Exit133

73 Years Ago Today: Epic Fail of Tacoma Narrows Bridge

On this day in 1940 the Tacoma Narrows Bridge had experienced that epic and infamous fail. And fortunately for those of us who weren't around back then, it got captured on film.

Watching the old Narrows Bridge buckle and sway like some sort of funhouse attraction is surreal year after year. And we're betting we won't be the only ones thinking about this sight the next time we drive over the Narrows.

On a day like today we're especially thankful for the marvels of modern engineering that keep our bridges right where they're supposed to be.

Filed under: History, Tacoma Landmarks, Tacoma Narrows Bridge

1 comments

Ann Lorenz November 7, 2013

I was in Lakebay, my parents were on there way from Seattle. They were there on the Tacoma side when it happened... My grandfather was captain of the Arcadia. He said he went under the bridge on theage 53 way to Tacoma, and over the bridge on the way home. We crossed the bridge several times when you could see a car coming, it would disappear and the show up again. We walked across one night when it was bucking like in the pictures...