Elkview Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The one-span, 52'-long, metal pony truss bridge is supported on stone abutments. The bridge has built-up upper chords and verticals, and eye bar lower chords and diagonals. According to Chester County records, the bridge built in 1892 by John Denithorne & Son of Phoenixville, collapsed into the creek in 1937. It was rebuilt with the addition of two welded diagonals in the center panel and welded repairs to the pin connections and lower chords. The bridge is an altered example of a bridge type and design by a builder that is well represented by earlier and more complete examples in the county (e.g. 15 7015 0593 0166, 1886; 15 7015 0504 0178, 1894). The bridge has significant welded alterations that compromise the integrity of its connections. At least 13 Denithorne-built bridges have been identified from 1882 to 1905. Ten of the 13 bridges are in Chester County. All but two are pin-connected Pratt truss bridges. Denithorne, one of many fabricators active in the state during the late-19th and early 20th century, built truss bridges from about 1873 to 1905, mostly in Chester and neighboring counties. By the mid 1880s, Denithorne had switched to the standard all pin-connected Pratt truss designs, such as this one at Elk View Road, that were in increasingly common use by other fabricators as well.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in a rural area of active farms and scattered residences. Open fields are at three of the bridge's quadrants, and a wood lot is located at the fourth quadrant. The setting does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No