Sheeder Mill Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The one-span, 88'-long, pin-connected, wrought-iron, thru truss bridge built in 1887 is supported on stone abutments. The bridge has built-up upper chords and verticals, and eye bar lower chords and diagonals. U-shaped hangers support built-up floorbeams carrying steel stringers and a wood deck. Three-high rail pipe railings are placed to the inside of the truss lines. Flared stone wingwalls with parapets enclose the approach roadways. The bridge has several minor alterations, including plates bolted to the web of the floorbeams for strengthening, and a welded repair to one of the diagonals, but they do not adversely affect the overall integrity of original design. Fabricated by John Denithorne & Son, it is an early and complete example of its type and design. It is the only identified example of a pin connected thru truss highway bridge in Chester County. The bridge is among the oldest examples in the region of the pin-connected Pratt truss bridge design with standard details that were common from the mid 1880s to the early 20th century. It was built by a leading local fabricator of metal truss highway bridges.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in a rural setting with scattered 19th to late- 20th-century residences. The southern quadrants are wooded. At the northwest quadrant is a field and at the northeast quadrant a ca. 1830 stuccoed stone residence and the stone foundation of what appears to have been a mill by evidence of a mill race.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes