Shakespeare Bridge in Los Angeles

Built in 1926, the 260-foot Franklin Avenue Bridge in Los Angeles, California is a very unique and charming storybook-style bridge with arches, turrets and towers that is more reminisce of Elizabethan London than Southern California. Because of its romantic and old-world style architecture, it has become know as the Shakespeare Bridge. It was designed by civil engineer J.C. Wright to provide a vital roadway across a deep ravine and to complement the aesthetic style of homes being built in the Franklin Hills neighborhood of Los Feliz during the 1920s.  The Shakespeare Bridge also provided access to the early Hollywood production companies, like Vitagraph and Disney Studio, that were located just a few blocks east of the bridge.  It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974 and it is a unique example of early 20th century Los Angeles historic architecture that continues to charm both locals and visitors. 

Shakespeare Bridge
Source: Los Angeles Public Library ~ Cary Moore Collection

Shakespeare Bridge in 1956
Source: UCLA Library Digital Collections ~ Los Angeles Times