HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


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

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Falknor Road Bridge

Blankenship Park Bridge

Falknor Road Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: May 7, 2006

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Falknor Road (Old Alignment) Over Stillwater River
Location
Rural: Miami County, Ohio: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1899 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
112.5 Feet (34.3 Meters)
Structure Length
225.0 Feet (68.6 Meters)
Roadway Width
Not Available
Spans
2 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
55XXXX1

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge was built in 1899. It is a two span pin connected Pratt through truss bridge. Each bridge is composed of seven panels. There is v-lacing on the vertical members, under the top chord / end post as well as on the sway bracing. The portal bracing is a lattice design. The bridge sits on stone piers and abutments. There is a stone arch bridge just east of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org is happy that this bridge was not demolished when it was bypassed by a modern bridge on a new alignment to the south in 1970. Leaving the bridge standing has allowed the bridge to stand to the present day as a historic landmark. At the same time, it is sad to see that this bridge, which is surrounded by a rustic park on the east side of the bridge, has not been restored for pedestrian use. It is instead fenced off. The stone pier is beginning to show scour problems. It would be nice to see the pier repaired and the bridge superstructure and deck repaired to allow the bridge to open to pedestrians. The park is currently just a dirt drive with a few trails in the woods. The bridge could function as a scenic outlook for park visitors, as well as a fishing pier. It would make the park more than the small set of unimproved trails that it currently is. The park would be a destination for people to experience the historic bridge. There could be informational signs set up for the bridges.

Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory

Setting/Context

The bridge is closed to traffic. It is in a public park (Blankenship Park) but apparently unmaintained.

Physical Description

The 2 span, pin-connected Pratt thru truss bridge is lightly built and appears from photos to be traditionally composed.

Summary of Significance

The 1899 pin-connected Pratt thru truss bridge, which had already been bypassed, was determined eligible by the SHPO in 1977 and it was also select in ODOT's 1981 survey. A copy of the survey form is on file at ODOT.

Pratt trusses were undoubtedly the most popular truss design of the last quarter of the 19th century and continued to be built into the 20th century, although eventually superseded in popularity by Warren trusses. The design, which initially was a combination of wood compression and iron tension members, was patented in 1844 by Thomas & Caleb Pratt. Ohio has three covered bridges that use this combination configuration, but they are all modern reconstructions based on the Pratt patent. The great advantage of the Pratt over other designs was the relative ease of calculating the distribution of stresses. More significantly, it translated well into an all-metal design in lengths of less than 200'. Significant surviving examples of all-metal Pratt trusses mostly date to the last quarter of the 19th century, and they are found with thru, pony, and the less common bedstead configuration. Prior to about 1890, a variety of panel point connections were in widespread use (including bolts, cast-iron pieces, and pins), but engineering opinion was coalescing around pins as the most efficient and constructible. Many of the connection details were proprietary and associated with individual builders or companies, and thus earlier examples are generally taken to be technologically significant in showing the evolution of the design. Later post-1890 Pratt trusses show a progression toward less variation in their details such that by 1900 the design was quite formulaic with few significant differences between the designs of various builders. This marked the end of the pin-connected Pratt's technological evolution and, in fact, it was soon waning and eclipsed in the highway bridge market by more rigid, rivet-connected truss designs, particularly the Warren but also riveted Pratts. The transition to riveted connections, which happened even earlier with railroads than highways, was in no small part due to concerns about stress reversals at the pins under heavier loads and improvements in pneumatic field riveting equipment in the early 1900s. In Ohio, Pratt truss highway bridges, whether pinned or riveted, were almost always built under the auspices of counties and local units of government; the Pratt was not a standard design of the state highway department.

In Ohio, there are 185 Pratt trusses dating from ca. 1874 to 1945 with at least 60 dating prior to 1900 (Phase 1A, 2008). The technologically significant unaltered examples of pin-connected Pratt trusses for the most part date prior to 1900 and have documented or attributed builders and dates of construction and/or significant connection or member details. Later post-1900 examples are less technologically significant. Significant unaltered examples of riveted-connected Pratt trusses date from ca. 1900 to 1915.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Falknor Road 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: Falknor Road 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