Victoria Falls Bridge Opens

The Victoria Falls Bridge, spanning the Zambezi River between what was then Northern and Southern Rhodesia, was formally opened on July 25, 1909. Conceived by Cecil Rhodes as part of his Cape to Cairo railway dream, the 650-foot structure featured a 500-foot central arch and was built to carry both trains and road traffic with panoramic views of the falls. Engineered by George Andrew Hobson and constructed by the Cleveland Bridge Company, the project overcame challenging terrain and seasonal flooding. Its completion enabled efficient copper transport from the mines of Northern Rhodesia and boosted tourism. The bridge remains in use today, symbolizing early 20th-century colonial infrastructure ambitions and engineering prowess in Africa.