The Cooper River Bridges This is an official medallion of the Cooper River Bridges. The medallion is made from steel collected in the demolition of the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. The steel was supplied and certified authentic by the bridge demolition company, Cashman/Testa Corp. The bridge images were created by local artist Shelia Thompson. The first Cooper River Bridge opened in 1929. In the 1940’s,the bridge came under public ownership and was dedicated to John P. Grace, a former Charleston mayor and president of the Cooper River Bridge Co. The three lane sister bridge opened in 1966. It was dedicated to Silas N. Pearman, a local highway commissioner. In July 2005,both bridges were replaced by the cable-stayed Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge.