HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Linville Creek Bridge

Linville Creek Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: May 21, 2017

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
VA-1421 (Old Alignment) Over Linville Creek
Location
Broadway: Rockingham County, Virginia: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1898 By Builder/Contractor: Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
136.0 Feet (41.5 Meters)
Structure Length
136.0 Feet (41.5 Meters)
Roadway Width
10.8 Feet (3.29 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
16268

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Documentation For This Bridge

HAER Data Pages, PDF

View Edwin Thacher's Patent For This Truss Configuration

View Historical Articles About Edwin Thacher

This bridge is an example of one of the rarest truss configurations in the country, the Thacher truss as patented by Edwin Thacher. Fortunately this bridge was preserved in place for pedestrian use following construction of a new bridge for vehicular traffic immediately north of the bridge. The old alignment of the highway still serves some area residences and the road sign shows the name of the road as Thatcher Bridge Lane. Presumably this name was meant to honor the truss bridge's design, however it is spelled wrong because Edwin Thacher did not spell his name like that. This is proven by reviewing the original patent for the truss configuration.

Although its been stolen or otherwise gone missing, this bridge originally had a plaque on it listing the Wrought Iron Bridge Company with building this bridge in 1898. This date is a bit of a mystery. The bridge's obscure truss configuration, and use of cast iron connection assemblies that are not found on other Wrought Iron Bridge Company bridges (a company that often used the same design repeatedly) would appear to be the work of a much earlier bridge such as during the 1880s when more experimentation was ongoing with truss design. By 1898, indeed the final years before the company was absorbed into the American Bridge Company, truss bridges usually had a much more standard design. It is not known why this bridge has such unusual design details with an 1898 date. Although it is pure speculation without evidence, it is possible that this bridge was salvaged from another location and resold by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company in 1898, and this would mean the actual truss is older.

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Linville Creek Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Linville Creek Bridge

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider