LOUISIANA, Mo.– For just one day, the population of Louisiana increased 10 times.

Thirty thousand people attended dedication of the first Champ Clark Bridge on June 9, 1928. The crowd included members of the Clark family, the governors of Missouri and Illinois and people from all 48 states at the time. Clark’s grandson cut the ribbon. The festivities included a parade, boat brigade and air show. An estimated 6,000 cars were spotted around town.

Tolls on the bridge were suspended for a day. They would finally be eliminated on June 17, 1952. The structure was replaced by the new Champ Clark Bridge on Aug. 3, 2019.

The photo above was taken on June 9, 1928. It captures just a few of the thousands who turned out for dedication of the first Champ Clark Bridge in Louisiana.