Construction of the suspension bridge on this site began in the early summer of 1871, and the bridge opened for use in November that year. The structure cost nearly $45,000, and tolls were collected for about 25 years. Built by Elmira, New York, contractor George W. Fishler, the bridge made possible rapid settlement of Warren's south side, which had previously been accessible only by ferry or by crossing the ice in winter. At that time, across the Allegheny River, the south side was largely undeveloped except for Oakland Cemetery and scattered farms, and until 1900 a portion west of the bridge was occupied by the Warren County fair grounds. In the middle of the river were the remains of the covered bridge at Hazel Street, which stood only from 1839 to 1855. On the north bank in the far distance stood the Revere House, an early railroad hotel beside the tracks and passenger station of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, and at the foot of the island was Rathbun's wharf, the town landing through much of the nineteenth century for keelboats, flatboats, and steamboats using the Allegheny on high water during the late winter and spring navigation season.