"Let's Build the Bridge" - Proposals

The Volunteer Bridge was built in 1983 to span busy railroad crossings west of downtown Wheaton. Of all of the projects taken on by the IPP volunteers, this was the largest and most complex. The IPP volunteers did all of the fundraising, planning, and construction of this bridge after all authorities declined to facilitate or fund the project. As a result, it became known by its fundraising campaign title, "Let's Build The Bridge." The files included in this series are from two compilers, Phil Hodge and the IPP itself. Phil Hodge was the engineer of the bridge and served as the vice president of the IPP. His files were removed from the original binders, but otherwise were kept intact exactly as he had them arranged. The IPP files were organized into similar categories for consistency and ease of research. Hodge's files include ideas for raising funds, notes on who to approach for funding, and whether they contributed. They also include proposals, brochures, estimates, designs, sketches, supply orders, media, and labor. His files also include a printout of names of volunteers who worked on the project and the amount of hours they contributed. The IPP files include agreements and correspondence with Wheaton, DAVEA welding class certificates and information, and a history of the bridge.