Bridging the gap between Sacramento + West Sacramento, truss us when we say the 160-ft tall Tower Bridge is more than an iconic landmark. It’s also an architectural delight whose story tells us about the development of the River City. Let’s dive in.
Did you know that the Tower Bridge replaced an earlier design? | Photo by @angelogenasci
🚂 Railcars, trains, and automobiles
In the 1910s, Sacramento was mainly accessible by boats, passenger trains + freight railcars, which was reflected in the city’s infrastructure.
Take the M St. Bridge as an example: Erected in 1911 by the Sacramento Northern Railway in the spot where the Tower Bridge stands today, it accommodated the heavy demands of both river + railroad transportation.Oh, and vehicles, but on a single 9-ft-wide lane.
By the 1930s, residents + city leaders began to realize that the bridge — which utilized a swing bridge design — was no longer functional for the city’s transportation needs. Chief among the critics was the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, who voiced concern that the M St. bridge was hazardous to motorists with its modest–at-best traffic lane.
Let’s put that concern in a bigger context — by 1934, not only did automobile traffic across the bridge rise by 700%, the city went from 45,000 residents to 100,000. In other words, one lane each way for automobile traffic just wouldn’t cut it for the growing metropolis, and it was an easy decision for the city to declare the bridge obsolete.
In early 1934, the Missouri-born but San Francisco-based architect Alfred Eicher began work on a new design as a California state employee that would replace the M St. Bridge.
Alfred spent several months sketching + refining the elements of the project before landing on a design that was the first of its kind in the Golden State…
Tahoe Park Food Trucks | Fri., June 24 | 5-8 p.m. | Tahoe Park | Free | Indulge in an array of gourmet food trucks as you enjoy the outdoor weather. 🚚
Saturday
Muddy Princess | Sat., June 25 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | 7200 Lone Pine Dr. | $63+ | This woman-only 5k obstacle mud run is designed for fun rather than competition. 👟
Family Wellness Fest | Sat., June 25 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | North Laguna Creek Park | Free | This family-friendly festival promotes healthy living with free food, kid-friendly activities, and wellness vendors. 🍎
Midtown Market | Saturdays | 10 a.m. | 2011 J St. | Free | Enjoy a rotating selection of local artists, music, food + vendors in Lavender Heights.
Taco & Margarita Festival | Sat., June 25 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Heart Health Park | Prices vary | Taco ‘bout a fiesta — pro wrestlers, margaritas, music + food trucks mix at this all-ages event. 🌮
Banana Sundaes ‘The Streets’ Block Party | Sat., June 25-Sun., June 26 | Times vary | The Flamingo House | $45 | Underground electronic artists from the US + UK will strike like lightning at this Midtown street festival. 🔊
Sunday
Curtis Fest Artisan Fair | Sun., June 26 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 3349 W Curtis Dr. | Free | The annual gathering, now in its 14th year, is bringing live music and 70+ vendors to Curtis Park.
Eraserhead | Sun., June 26 | 4 p.m. | Dreamland Cinema, 1901 P St. | $10 | The beguiling, bemusing + beautiful debut film from David Lynch, which he filmed on a shoestring budget. ✏️
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The city has voted to expand an ongoing basic income program to 80 additional people in Sacramento County with a $750,000 allocation from its American Rescue Plan funds. The program — led by local nonprofit United Way — currently provides 100 households with $300 per month. Learn more. (Sacramento City Express)
State
The Education Commission of the Stateshas named California its recipient of the 2022 Frank Newman Award for State Innovation — the nation’s preeminent award for advancements in education policy. In particular, the Commission applauded the Golden State for its “coordinated approach to educating all students from preschool to postsecondary[.]” 🏆
Announced
The local restaurateur behind Broadway District’s Andy Nguyen’s Vegetarian has shared plans for a plant-based burger joint called Buddha Belly Burger. Expected to open at 1901 S St. by the end of the year, its alternative patties will be sourced from West Sac’s Better Meat Co., and will also serve beer + sake. 🍔 (Sac Biz Journal)
Carmichael’s I Love Pie Bakeshop has filled its fans in on a big change: It will relocate to Milagro Centre — an indoor food court found at 6421 Fair Oaks Blvd. — sometime after Mon., July 4. In addition, the pie shop teased it will offer an expanded menu once the move is officially baked through completion. 🥧
Show
Stories on Stage Sacramentois hosting a performance tonight at CLARA auditorium where actors will bring life to the page with readings from local writer Anara Gaurd’s “Like a Complete Unknown” + SF-based Vanessa Hua’s “Forbidden City.” The show begins at 7 p.m., followed by interviews with the authors. Grab tickets. (Sac Mag)
Legacy
Volunteer Assistant Chief Lee “Smokey” Browninghas retired from the Rocklin Fire Department, which he joined in 1968. “His hands have touched and his dedication influenced more in this city than we will ever know,” his colleagues wrote on Facebook. The City Council will honor his service in its Tues., June 28 meeting. 🚒 (FOX40)
ICYMI
In case you missed it… Citrus Heights hosted the first-ever pickleball tournament to be sanctioned by USA Pickleball last weekend at Rusch Community Park. Dubbed the Sacramento Open, more than 72 men + women of all ages competed for the inaugural title, with one player traveling all the way from Boise, Idaho. 🏓 (Sac Bee)
Drink
Move over pumpkin spice.Temple Coffee Roasters has unveiled its new menu of three summer drinks — an espresso mocktail with wild blueberry sugar, a reimagined Shirley Temple with iced tea + a creamy cold brew blended with house-made orange and vanilla syrup — which are now available at all locations. ☕
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Following the luck that fell into the Kings’ court in May when the team moved up to the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft, the team made some big moves Thursday afternoon. Here’s the play-by-play:
The Kings selected forward Keegan Murray, a top five NCAA points leader last season, from the University of Iowa
Hours before the draft began, the team traded its No. 49 pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for small forward/power forward Sasha Vezenkov + $1.75 million
What’re your thoughts on the latest draft picks from the Kings? Let us know.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s Pick: With summer here + lawns turning more golden than green, I’d highly recommend checking out the city’s River-Friendly Landscape Program. It provides rebates of up to $3,000 for ripping out your turf and replacing it with native and drought-tolerant plants that can weather the Sacramento heat.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We put together a list of activities for a wet + wacky weekend with the kids.
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