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| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date and Builder/Engineer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Watkins Glen Iron Foot-Bridge
| Watkins Glen State Park Trail Over Glen Creek | Watkins Glen: Schuyler County, New York | Metal 18 Panel Bowstring Pony Truss, Fixed | 1870 By Builder/Contractor: John L. Foreman |
| Technical Facts |
| Main Span Length | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans |
| 90 Feet (27.4 Meters) | 90 Feet (27.4 Meters) | 10.6 Feet (3.25 Meters) | 1 |
This bridge is a cast and wrought iron bridge and as such is a member of an elite group of historic bridges that are among the most important in the country. One survey found around 70 such bridges in the country, and it is likely that today there are fewer than that remaining.
Fortunately, this bridge is in use as a pedestrian bridge in a park and as such its future is not threatened. It crosses Glen Creek and the deep valley it has cut through the park. As a result, this bridge has some serious clearance between deck and the creek below... it is quite a thrill to look down from on this bridge!
It is Watkins Glen State Park's own loss that they do not publicize the importance of this bridge. There is no interpretive plaque located near the bridge to describe how ancient this c. 1870 iron bridge is, nor how uncommon the bowstring truss design is. Many different companies designed their own bowstrings in the 1870s and each had its own distinctive style. This bridge is the only known remaining bridge with this particular design. The iron on the bridge was fabricated by the Phoenix Iron Company. However, none of this is presented to park visitors. Indeed, the park has instead fueled confusion by describing this bridge as a suspension bridge. The only place the bridge is mentioned in the park is on a sign detailing what the area looked like long ago. The sign mentions that "the suspension bridge in the center of this picture stands to this day." While it is possible that this bridge may have been known as "the Suspension Bridge" by locals of the time, the wording of the above sentence implies that the structure type is a suspension. One might have a good academic argument over whether a bowstring is more like an arch bridge or a truss bridge, but it is NOT a suspension bridge! If the bridge was historically called "The Suspension Bridge" it might be appropriate to continue to give the bridge this title, but any signage that discusses the bridge should more clearly outline that the structure is an c. 1870 iron bowstring bridge. Indeed, the bridge should be more prominently featured as a park attraction, since it is a nationally significant structure.
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