Hufford's Ford Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Statement of Significance

When in a joint board meeting in September 1900 the commissioners of Carroll and Clinton counties decided to build a bridge over Middle Fork Creek on the county line, they appointed Charles Huffine, the Clinton County Surveyor, to prepare plans and specifications for the structure, and they announced a letting the following month at the Clinton County courthouse. By bringing in "the lowest and best bid" at $4190, James M. Peirce of Carroll County won the contract for the complete structure. Peirce completed the cut-stone abutments and wingwalls by the end of the year and erected the superstructure soon thereafter. He built the earthen approach to the north on a separate contract with Carroll County in the first half of 1901. The webbing of this pin-connected Pratt through-span is quite light. A pair of die-forged eyebars provide each hip vertical and laced channels the intermediate ones. A pair of die-forged eyebars serve as diagonal sets in the second and fourth panels, and a pair of adjustable and cylindrical rods supply the diagonal and counter set in the most central panel. The I floor-beams are U-bolted to the lower pins. The trusses have been supported with cables running below the floor-beams from abutment to abutment. The bridge carries a 16-ft. asphalt and metal pan deck with 14 feet of vertical roadway clearance. Seated upon cut stone abutments and wingwalls, this single-span, pin-connected Pratt through span extends 86' in five panels. A pair of laced channels provides each set of intermediate verticals, a pair of die-forged eyebars serve as diagonal sets in the second and fourth panels, and a pair of adjustable and cylindrical rods supply the diagonal and counter set in the most central panel. The I floor-beams are U-bolted to the lower pins and have been reinforced with cables run from abutment to abutment. The bridge carries a 16' asphalt and metal pan deck. Adjacent to an old sawmill, Hufford's ford had been an established part of the two-county transportation network since before the 1870's. The builder of Hufford's Ford Bridge, James M. Peirce, won many bridge contracts in Carroll County in the 1890s and later, especially for substructures. He was a particularly prolific builder of cut-stone abutments like those for this structure. The Pratt superstructure was designed to be light, making it easy for the fabricator to get transported to the bridge site for the contractor to assemble. This bridge retains its original members, including latticed guardrails. The structure is of rather standard design. This bridge retains its original members, including latticed guardrails, although the deck has been supported.

Other Information

References Charles J. Ritzler, Bridge Inspection Report: Carroll County (Delphi, 1974-75). Carroll Co., "Commissioners Record," 20: 323, 370, 394-5, 444. Clinton Co., "Commissioners Record," 25: 194, 210-11. Carroll Co. Citizen-Times, 6, 13 October 1900.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes