View Information About HSR Ratings
This bridge is a two span pin connected Pratt through truss bridge. Each span has nine panels to it. There is v-lacing on the vertical members of the bridge. A Carnegie brand was located on the members of the bridge. The deck of the bridge is currently a corrugated steel base with an asphalt wearing surface. The portal bracing on the bridge is a plate steel design with decorative punchout designs in it. The abutments for the bridge were stone, but the pier was stone with a bunch of concrete added to it.
This bridge was one of two rare Morse Bridge Company bridges in Shelby County, the other on Johnson Slagle Road.
Bridges built by the Morse Bridge Company that survive today, of which there are very few, are noteworthy because some of their bridges, displayed several unusual design details. All of their bridges, including the Sulpher Heights Hill Road Bridge were distinguished by ornamental details that varied from bridge to bridge, much moreso than was found in bridges built by other companies during this period. Among the surviving examples that HistoricBridges.org has documented, there is amazing variety in the decorative details. This bridge has an interesting shield-shaped plaque, and the unusual knee bracing.
In 2007, Shelby County with little preamble or notice to the historic bridge community abruptly demolished and replaced this and the Johnson Slagle Road Bridge and with one stroke annihilated a large percentage of surviving Morse Bridge Company Bridges. The loss of these bridges cannot be corrected through any amount of preservation elsewhere, since each Morse Bridge Company bridge was quite unique, and no more exist in the county. Neither of these bridges needed to be replaced, and could likely have been rehabilitated for less than the cost of their replacement. To lose one of these two bridges would have been devastating, but words fail to describe the loss of both of them, in the same year no less. It is hard to fathom how little appreciation one would have for a county's heritage to demolish these bridges.
This bridge was next to another bridge that was a historic 1933 three span deck plate girder bridge. It also was demolished and replaced.
This historic bridge has been demolished. This map is shown for reference purposes only.
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.
Additional Maps:
Google Streetview (If Available)
GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)
Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)
Apple Maps (Apple devices only)
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)
© 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.
