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This bridge is a good example of a bridge built by the prolific Wrought Iron Bridge Company. It utilizes one of the company's standard designs. However, this example is noted for its slightly skewed design. Skews are quite rare on pin-connected highway truss bridges. The bridge also has an unusual riveted box around the end of the end posts, where a double pin detail is found, one pin for the bottom chord, and above another pin for unknown purposes.
Steel stringers have been added under the bridge to help bear the live load.
The bridge has a (incorrect) 1919 construction date listed in the National Bridge Inventory. It is not known if this might refer to an alteration date, perhaps having some connection to the mysterious double-pinned riveted box at the base of the end posts. The Historic Bridge Inventory suggests a ca. 1895 construction date, however the Wrought Iron Bridge Company was usually using their a-frame portal bracing by this time. This bridge looks more like an 1880s truss bridge, following the design the company used during that decade.
Pennsylvania has the poorest historic bridge preservation record in the country, particularly with metal truss bridges, when one considers significance of truss bridges in Pennsylvania, demolition rate of these bridges, and the number of preserved examples. However the lack of concern for these beautiful monuments to our heritage extends even beyond a bad preservation record. This bridge's builder plaque is completely obscured by the placement of a vertical clearance sign directly in front of the builder plaque! This occurs time and time again in Pennsylvania. How hard would it be to simply mount the clearance sign BESIDE the plaque?! Placing the sign on top of the plaque not only shows a disrespect and disregard for the historic bridge, it also likely diminishes the public perception of the historic bridges, leading to reduced support for preservation. These plaques often add beauty to the bridge, and may also indicate how old the bridge is. These aspects of a builder plaque can increase public awareness and concern for historic bridges, something conveniently done away with by the clearance sign.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 83' long pin-connected Pratt thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments with wingwalls. The bridge dates stylistically to ca. 1895, and it was fabricated by the Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio, a prolific and important early bridge company that was active all across the country. Characteristic WIBC details include the pronged floor beam hangers and lattice-filled portal braces. The verticals are rolled I beams. The bridge has been strengthened by the addition of longitudinal beams placed under the floor beams only. The new beams are supported on concrete abutments. Some of the original built up floor beams survive. The trusses appear to be complete, and the bridge is historically and technologically significant based on its completeness, date, and association with the WIBC. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries 1 lane of a township road over a stream in a rural area of active farms just north of the Pennsylvania-West Virginia state line. A Queen Anne-style farm house is located beyond the northeast quadrant, but there are undistinguished and altered 20th century houses beyond the others. The area does not appear to have rural historic district potential. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes |
This bridge is tagged with the following special condition(s): Unorganized Photos
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