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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
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Technical Facts |
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Construction Date |
Rehabilitation Date |
Structure Length | Deck Width | Builder |
| 1913 | 1982 | 83 Feet | 19.3 Feet | Farris Bridge Company |
The first thing you might notice if you visit this bridge is the plaque on the bridge, which I dubbed the "Essay Plaque" since it is so huge, and is filled with text! This is essentially a county line bridge, so they had to put the names of officials from two counties on it. The bridge is technically completely in Butler County, but only because the Armstrong County road makes a tight loop westward into Butler County for a short distance. This bridge is a subdivided Warren pony truss with riveted connections. Its members are fairly substantial in size, although it has very tint outriggers.
The people who undertake historic bridge inventories confuse me. They usually give greater attention to bridges built by prolific bridge companies, and less to bridges built by small, undistinguished bridge companies. While I do agree that it is important to recognize a prolific bridge builder's work, it would seem that the smaller companies would have built less bridges so less examples remain, and are thus more significant. Obviously in 1996, when the inventory was done, these people did not agree with me. Regardless of their findings, this bridge represents a fast-disappearing building technology no longer used today, and the bridge is in a beautiful secluded forest setting.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 1913, riveted, single span, 83'-long, Warren with verticals pony truss bridge is supported on ashlar abutments with flared wingwalls. The 5 panel trusses have built up box section upper chords and steel angle lower chords, verticals, and diagonals. The bridge has no innovative or distinctive details, and it reflects the standardization of the design. Nor is the fabricator significant. The technology was introduced into the state ca. 1895 and was well established by the time this bridge was built. Approximately 90 examples erected prior to 1910 survive throughout the Commonwealth. The bridge is not historically or technologically significant and it does not appear to be located in a significant setting. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane unimproved township road over a stream in a sparsely developed, forested setting. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
