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Downtown St. Louis
Martin Luther King Bridge
Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Open to public / Not Open to public
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Bridge spans the Mississippi River between St. Louis and East St. Louis. Constructed in 1951 as the Veterans Bridge, it was renamed in 1972 for the Baptist clergyman and civil-rights activist who was slain in 1968. The bridge connects with Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, both in St. Louis and in East St. Louis. In 1972, Easton Avenue and part of Franklin Avenue were renamed to honor King.
SOURCE: The historical information presented on this page is adapted with permission from Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites by Dr. John A. Wright, Sr. We are honored to share his invaluable research and historical insights, made available through the generous consent of Dr. Wright and the Missouri Historical Society Press. Their dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Black St. Louis is a gift to our community—a testament to those who came before us and a guide for those who walk the path forward.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Drive