Prepared by Allan King Sloan 2/26/03 and 3/6/03. 

Updated November 2003 (scroll down to items 64 to 72)

 

Most of the six decades worth of bridges built by the King Bridge Company have long since been replaced by new structures designed for modern traffic. These include their most important cantilever, suspension, spandrel arch, and moveable bridges built in the era from1880 to the early1900s. However, there are a few King bridges still in place that have either been preserved or restored by national, state or local organizations, or for which efforts are in progress to save them, either in place or in a new location. Some of these are cited in published books on historic bridges. Others have been listed in state historic bridge inventories or have come to our attention through old bridge enthusiasts who have contacted the King Bridge Company Museum web site (www.kingbridgeco.com) and have provided pictures and data. The list below contains bridges known to be standing as of early 2003. Some are safe from demolition as part of preservation efforts while others are scheduled to meet the fate of most of the Company’s inventory. Those in imminent danger are noted in italics.

 

From the Bowstring Era – the 1860 and 1870s

Tubular arch bowstring bridges, most produced under a patent gained by Zenas King in 1867, were the first basic product of the King Bridge Company. They were sold and erected all over the nation and were particularly important in giving towns and counties the ability to provide continuous road systems essential to the nation’s economic growth after the Civil War.

Three Span Bowstrings

1. The Fort Laramie Army Bridge, Fort Laramie, Wyoming - (3 spans, 400 feet) -1875 ***

This is probably the most famous of the existing King bridges since it is on the National Historic Register and under the control of the National Park Service as part of historic Fort Laramie. It is a King bridge patent design supported by special iron piers also patented by Zenas King. It is reported to be the oldest iron bridge west of the Mississippi.

 2. The Spile Bridge in Depeyster, St. Lawrence County, New York- (3 spans,300 feet) – 1874

This well preserved bridge was moved from its original location in Ogdensburg to a more remote location over Black Lake. Zenas King grew up and went to school in DePeyster. The bridge is almost within sight of the cemetery where some of the King family are buried. It still carries light traffic and is not on the schedule for removal, but it should be the radar screen of the historic preservationists.

 3. The Hale Bridge in Jones County, Iowa –(3 span -260 feet) – 1879*#

This impressive bridge is listed in the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and is currently being dismantled. It will be relocated to serve as on pedestrian and bicycle path in a park in Jones County through the efforts of the Jones County Historical Commission.

 4. The Boner Bridge near Hatfield, Warrick-Spenser Counties, Indiana -(3 spans,160 feet) 1869[2]  This bridge across Little Pigeon Creek consists of one through truss on cast iron supports and two pony trusses. It still carries traffic with a three-ton limit. Professor James L. Cooper of DePauw University has been researching the structure, which may have been purchased through agents in Kentucky. It is being studied for registration as an historic site.

 Single Span Bowstrings

 5. The Black Warrior Bridge in Northport, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama- (206 feet)- 1882 #

The Friends of Historic Northport discovered the remnants of one of the oldest iron bridges in Alabama and are making plans to move and restore it as part of a riverfront restoration area.  The history of the bridge is well documented in local records which includes correspondence from James A. King.

 6. The Austin Bridge in Chanute, Neosho County, Kansas - (160 feet) -1872**

This bridge, documented in Donald Jackson’s book, was made in the Iola factory of the King Bridge Company. It   is now located in a county park and used by pedestrians. It is one of the oldest existing bowstrings.

 7. The Springfield Bridge in Springfield, Conway County, Arkansas - (188 feet)– 1874**

As documented in Donald Jackson’s book, this is the oldest highway bridge in Arkansas and oldest remaining bowstring in the State. It is also in the HAER register.

 8. The Roaring Creek Bridge at Aranto Rest Stop, I-81 in Christiansburg, Virginia – 1878

This bridge was originally located in Bedford, Virginia and was relocated to its present site at an Interstate Highway rest stop where it is cited as the oldest iron bridge in the State.

 .9. The Old Jefferson Town Bridge in Oklaloosa County, Kansas -(48 feet) – 1875*

This bridge has been moved twice ending in Old Jefferson Town in 1975 where is provides access to various points of interest. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 10. The Bullman Bridge in Hamilton County, Texas – (85 feet) – 1884*

This is the most complete and substantial of the remaining bowstrings in Texas and one of three contracted by the King Bridge Company for the County. Located on the old Waco-Hamilton Road, this bridge is included in the State transportation enhancement program and will be a feature in a State approved park.[3]

 11. The Jonesboro Bridge in Hamilton County, Texas – (64 feet) – 1884*

This bridge is the second of the Kings and was left in place when a bypass bridge was built in 1988 across the Leon River. Along with the Bullman Bridge, it is designated eligible for nomination for the National Historic Register.

 Note: Two other King bridges, the third bowstring of 85 feet and a Pratt truss built in 1897 have been moved out of Hamilton County, the bowstring to Fort Worth and the Pratt truss to Travis County.

 

The Federal Highway Administration’s “Historic Bridges of Nebraska” lists the following King bowstrings:

 12. The Wyoming Bridge near Dunbar in Otoe County, Nebraska – (97 feet) -1878*

The King Bridge Company contracted with Otoe County to build a number bowstrings in the 1870s of which this is one of the last remaining, along with;

 13.A Pony Arch Truss Bridge near Lorton, Otoe County, Nebraska – (78 feet) -1876*

 14. The “Singing Bridge”, Clearwater in Antelope County, Nebraska – (135 feet) – 1883*

This bowstring was originally built to carry wagons across the Elkhorn River and is now preserved as a pedestrian crossing. Along with the Otoe County bowstrings, this bridge has a historical designation.

 (Two bowstrings in Johnson County, Iowa)

Over the last ten years, the Johnson County Conservation Board has rebuilt and moved six bridges to their public parks. One of these is a 70 foot bridge built by the King Bridge Company. The other King is a 60 foot bowstring now in private hands. (More information has been requested.)

  

There are three King built bowstrings in New York State that have been or are being preserved and rehabilitated and two others that might be considered for the same treatment. These are:

 15. The Stuart Road Bridge in Chili Mills, Monroe County, New York – 1877

In 2002, the Monroe County Highway Department repaired this bowstring to serve pedestrians visiting the charming Chili Mills historical complex run by the Wilcox family. It is one of the oldest iron bridges in Western New York.

 16. The Beech Road Bridge in Newfield, Tompkins County, New York – (58 feet) -1870s #

Historic Ithaca has taken over responsibility for fixing up this little bowstring, which for years has served as a major route for school children to cross the west branch of the Cayuga Inlet. It still has one of the oldest King Bridge Company builder’s plates.

 17. The Grasse River Bridge in Canton, St. Lawrence County, New York – 1870s #

This long neglected bowstring will be rehabilitated to serve as the entrance to a new park to be built on islands in the Grasse River. The State of New York has given the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation a grant of $195,755 to develop to park, including the bridge rehabilitation in the first phase.

 18. The Elmwood Cemetery Bridge in Schaghticoke, Renssalaer County, New York – 1870s

Well-hidden behind trees and brush are the remains of this bowstring, which once served as an access to the cemetery. The Cemetery Association and local interests are now considering its restoration.

 19. Geoff Whittier’s Bowstring in Kucksville, Orleans County, New York – 1870s

What appears to be the remains of a King bowstring crossing Black Creek sits behind the house on this farm near Lake Ontario.

  

From the Standard Truss Era – the 1880s and beyond

The American Standard Truss (of Pratt, Warren, etc. designs) became the bridge of choice for both highways and railroads in the 1880s. They were produced in abundance by most of the iron and steel bridge builders, including the King Bridge Company. Their ability to carry heavier loads than the bowstrings was a key factor in their popularity. However, if they helped create a popular travel corridor, their demise was assured as modern traffic demands increased. Many of these bridges had decorative elements, which has sometimes enhanced their attraction for preservation. Most of the remaining King bridges are in this category.

 

20. The Faust Street Bridge in New Braunfels, Comal County,Texas (2 spans, 640 feet) 1887* --This impressive Whipple Truss once served as the major highway crossing of the Guadalupe River on  “El Camino Real” connecting Austin and San Antonio. As one of the most important historic bridges in Texas, it has been restored by the County to serve foot and bicycle traffic needing access to the river.

 21. The Second Street Bridge in Allegan, Michigan – (150 feet) -1886**

In the 1970s the City fathers of Allegan decided they wanted to restore this King built Pratt through truss in their downtown, instead of replacing it. They persuaded Federal Highway authorities to provide funding for a complete restoration instead of a more expensive new structure. In 1983, the bridge was reopened for one-way traffic in a three day civic celebration.

 22. The Dearborn River High Bridge in Lewis & Clark County,Montana (160 feet)– 1897**

This unique Pratt half deck truss crosses a gorge on the Dearborn River in the spectacular foothills of the Rocky Mountains front range. The King Bridge Company received the controversial contract to build the bridge in a battle with local builders.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently being restored by the Montana Transportation Department.

 23. The Merriam Street Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1887

In 1985, when the four span Broadway Bridge built by the King Bridge Company was replaced, one of the spans of this decorative Pratt truss was floated by pontoons to a new site at Merriam Street to connect across the branch of the mighty Mississippi to Nicolet Island. The history of the original bridge is documented extensively in HAER.

 24. The Yellow Bank Church Campground Bridge in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota- (119 feet)-1893* -This unique through truss was built by the King Bridge Company through its agent, M.A. Adams, who later went on to set up his own bridge company in Minneapolis. It is one of the earliest iron bridges in the state and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 25. The Main Street Bridge at New Pekin, Washington County, Indiana – 1884*

This is reported to be one of the oldest Pratt trusses built by the King Bridge Company as described in “Iron Monuments to Distant Posterity”’ by Professor James L. Cooper of DePauw University. It is one of the outstanding bridges on the Indiana Historic Bridge Inventory.

 26. The Furnas Mill Bridge, Edinburgh, Johnson County, Indiana (2 spans, 240 feet) 1891

This Pratt through truss spans Sugar Creek as is reported to be one of only five King bridges remaining in Indiana.

 27. The Pony Truss Bridge near Lexington, McLean County, Illinois – 1896

At one time there were a number of King bridges across the Mackinaw River in McLean County, (including a still standing bowstring which may be a King). While there are old photographs of some of these, the pony truss near Lexington, with it bridge plate still in tact, is the only one confirmed to be still there.[4]

  

The Pennsylvania Historic Bridge Inventory and Evaluation of 1998 (PennDOT) prepared by A.G. Lichtenstein & Associates) lists the following King built bridges as being eligible for historic designation: 

28. The Hogback Bridge in Lawrence, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania -(215 feet) –1893*

This spectacular, often photographed single span Petit truss bridge crosses the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

 29. The Greenwood Bridge in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania – (197 feet)- 1892*

This Pratt truss, also across the West Branch of the Susquehanna, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

30. The Shaw’s Landing Bridge in Fairfield, Crawford County, Pennsylvania (80 feet) 1897* -- This Pratt truss is pictured on the Venango County  website produced by Daniel Alward.

 31. The Yellow Creek Bridge in Hopewell, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (104 feet) 1889*

According to the inventory authors, this is a well preserved example of a Pratt through truss.

 32. The Crooked Creek Road Bridge in Franklin, Adams County, Pennsylvania (68 feet) 1889* -- This Pratt pony truss is one of the oldest remaining in Adams County.

 33. The Tunkhannock Creek Bridge in Benton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania  (77 feet)–1885* This is a Pratt through truss, which still has its original lattice portals and finials.

 34. The Fourth Street Bridge, North Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania–(145 feet) 1900* -- This three span bridge still carries traffic across the former mainline of the Pennsylvania Railroad and is important because of it association with the railroad.

 35. The Seventh Street Bridge in Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania (74 feet)1883

While not among those on the eligible list, this bridge is interesting because the original King Pratt truss has been supplanted by a bowstring arch without removing the original structure so it could still carry vehicular traffic. The bridge is slated to be relocated to a site in the town’s historic district.

 

Two well-preserved King bridges Hopewell, New Jersey still carry vehicular traffic and are being rehabilitated by the Mercer County Department of Transportation. Both are listed as eligible for historic designation in the New Jersey DOT Historic Bridge Inventory prepared by A.G. Lichtenstein & Associates in 2001.

 36. The Bear Tavern Road Bridge in Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey (75 feet) 1882*

This half hip Pratt truss carries a relatively high volume of auto traffic for an old bridge, the oldest in the County. It remained in good enough shape for the County to have recently made repairs to the flooring to keep it in operation.

 37. The Mine Road Bridge in Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey – (102 feet) -1885*

This is also a half hip Pratt truss that still carries vehicular traffic even though it has had little structural alteration. It is the second oldest bridge in the County, and with the Bear Tavern Bridge, much valued by the local citizenry.

 

 38. The East Chillhowie Street Bridge in Marion, Virginia – (85 feet) –1885*

This Pratt truss, just off Main Street, is still in fine working condition and proudly bears its King Bridge Company plate. It is included in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s survey of metal truss bridges of 1997.

 39. The Piano Bridge near Schulenburg, Fayette County, Texas – (80 feet) – 1885*

This is one of three King bridges ordered by the county. It is a Pratt truss across the East Navidad River that still has it builder’s plate and has been documented by the Historic Bridge Foundation of Texas.

 40. The Alton Bridge in Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas – 1884

The records of the Denton County Commissioners Court from the 1880s and 1890s indicates that 14 bridges were built by the King Bridge Company in the County during that period (and another 12 built by George E. King & Co. founded by Zenas King’s nephew). This Pratt through truss across Hickory Creek is the only one still in place and will be preserved as part of a hiking and equestrian trail system thanks to the efforts of the Denton County Historical Commission and others.[5] 40a. The Gregory Road Bridge in Denton County, Texas – (66 feet) –1880s

This pony truss across Duck Creek is scheduled for demolition unless The Denton County Historical Commission, which is currently looking at ways to save some of these old structures, can find another use for it.

 41. The Moore’s Crossing Bridge in Travis County, Texas – 1884

Three of the six spans that was the Congress Avenue Bridge across the Colorado River in Austin and featured in the King Bridge Company sales catalogue of the 1880s now reside in Richard Moya Park near the Austin airport after a long and turbulent history.  It is being repaired as pedestrian crossing of Onion Creek.[6]

 42. The Mill Creek Bridge in Ashtabula County, Ohio –1897*

The King Bridge Company built a number of bridges in this County, which is also known for its old covered bridges. The bridge at Mill Creek is in the process of being moved to a new site to become part of the Ashtabula County Greenway rail trail from Canton to Ashtabula. It is included in the Ohio Historic Bridge Inventory.

 43. The Fitzgerald Road Bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley NRA in Cleveland, Ohio – 1922

This may be one of the last bridges built by the Company before it effectively went out of business in 1923. It is one of two truss bridges in the National Recreation Area, the other having been built by King’s big rival, the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio.

 44. The Town Line Bridge in Arcadia, Wayne County, New York – 1884

This is probably one of two truss bridges built by the King Bridge Company in Arcadia and is located near the Aldrich Change Bridge, which is being rehabilitated by a group of energetic local citizens. Hopefully this group will be able to turn its attention to restoring this decaying bridge in the near future.

  

The Federal Highway Administration’s “Historic Bridges of Nebraska” includes the following King truss bridges:

 45. The DeWitt Mill Bridge at DeWitt in Gage County, Nebraska – (150 feet)-1887*

This Pratt truss is the oldest vehicular truss remaining in the state out of the hundreds that were ordered by Nebraska counties in the 1880s. It was originally built to serve an important flour mill on the Big Blue River. 

46. The Loosveldt Bridge at the Budd Family Ranch near Rushville, Sheridan County, Nebraska – (260 feet) – 1887-1888 * - This Baltimore truss was once part of the four span Columbus Loup River Bridge on the Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30). George E. King, Zenas’s nephew and western agent for the King Bridge Company, contracted  with Platte County for this major bridge which lasted until replaced  in 1933. One span was then moved to Sheridan County  to replace a flooded bridge at Loosveldt . It was then sold to the Budd family in 1984.

 47. The Wolf Creek Bridge near Dunbar in Otoe County, Nebraska – (77 feet) –1889*

This is one of the hundreds of Pratt truss bridges that were the standard design for smaller crossings of streams ans rivers in the Midwest.

 48. The Clear Creek Bridge near Bellwood in Butler County, Nebraska – (73 feet) – 1891*

This is a rare Warren truss on a lightly traveled road crossing a tributary of the Platte River. It is still in operation for light-weight vehicular traffic. 

 

Special Little Bridges

49. The Smith Road Bridge at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus, Ohio – 1870*

This little bowstring was relocated in 1989 from Crawford County to serve as an exhibit outside the Ohio Historical Center’s museum

 50. The Foot Bridges in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois –1898

The King Bridge Company built two foot bridges across a small valley to connect two parts of the town. At the urging of the local citizenry, the town fathers are repairing the bridges so that they can continue their important function

 51. The Clearwater Pony Truss in Clearwater, Kalkaska County, Michigan

While not confirmed as a King bridge, this Pratt pony truss looks almost like the drawings in the early King Bridge Company catalogues and local citizens are trying to keep it from being removed.

. 52. The Pony Truss on Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, Ulster County, New York – 1887

These trusses were once part of a bridge across Black Creek in Byron, New York and were purchased by the Sloan family in 1999 from a doctor who had acquired them instead of accepting a fee. They now serve as the entrance to a nature trail on land on Overlook Mountain donated to the Woodstock Land Conservancy by the family.

  

Moveable Bridges

The King Bridge Company sales catalogues featured a variety of moveable bridges in their inventory, particularly a swing bridge design patented by Zenas King and Peter Frees in 1864. The catalogues listed more than twenty of these built in the 1880s and 1890s. There were at least three each in Chicago, New York City, and Cleveland. They were highly important in cities with navigable waterways where both vehicular and water traffic needed operate with minimum interference. One of the last of these to disappear was the 127 foot Summer Street Retractile Bridge in South Boston, built in 1892 and featured in the Company catalogue of 1898. It was in use until early 2002. (Our family obtained one of its bridge plates). There are very few of these movable bridges left and two of those listed below are in serious danger.

 53. The Center Street Swing Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio – (249 feet) –1901 ***

This is the last remaining vehicular King bridge and is still in operation, providing access to the new entertainment complex in the Cleveland Flats. It is historically important, both for its design and for its role as a working swing bridge. It will be kept in operation as part of the Cleveland’s impressive inventory of historic bridges.

 54. The Hojack Railroad Swing Bridge in Rochester, New York – 1905#

This is the last known railroad swing built by the King Bridge Company and was in use by CSX until the mid 1990s. Now it faces removal under the orders of the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard. There is a valiant band of citizens try to stave off the demise of the bridge, which could easily be incorporated into the future development of Rochester’s Genesee River and Lake Ontario waterfront.

 55. The B&O Scherzer Bascule Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio – 1907**

The King Bridge Company provided the steel structure for this important bascule bridge near the entrance to the Cuyahoga River. It was one of the longest of this time and is now preserved as a permanent feature of Cleveland’s historic bridge inventory.

 56. The “Old Nan” Railroad Bascule Bridge in Niantic, Connecticut – 1905

As of the beginning of 2003, short lift bridge across the Niantic River is still in use by AMTRAK, which operates the high speed Acela trains between New York and Boston. It is one of a number of collaborations between Scherzer Engineering Company and King Bridge, but is scheduled for replacement in the near future.

 57. The Lift Bridge on Bridge Street in Piermont, Rockland County, New York – 1890

This is a small but unique lift bridge crossing a Hudson River inlet, which may have escaped the notice of bridge historians. It now serves as a bicycle and pedestrian crossing near the center of this picturesque town.

 58. The Draw Bridge at New Bridge in River Edge, Bergen County, New Jersey – 1888

This is a 110 foot Pratt swing bridge built by the King Bridge Company to the design of a Joseph W. Stagg. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by Bergen County, which rehabilitated it some years ago to serve as a pedestrian crossing over the Hackensack River. It connects to the headquarters of the Bergen County Historical Society at Steuben House, an important historical site dating to the War of Independence. (It may be the oldest movable King bridge still standing)

 

Major Bridges and Viaducts

Most historic bridges known to the public are the large structures that are masterpieces of engineering. The King Bridge Company built a number of these, including the Grand Avenue Suspension Bridge in St. Louis, the Central Cantilever Bridge across the Ohio River in Cincinnati, the Central Viaduct in Cleveland, and the Cedar Avenue Spandrel Bridge in Baltimore. All of these have disappeared. The following are the major King built structures still standing.

 

59. The Detroit-Superior High Level Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio - (591 foot steel arch)1914-1918** -- This was the last major bridge built by the King Bridge Company. It is one of the largest bridges spanning the Cuyahoga River connecting the east and west sides of the City and has recently undergone extensive rehabilitation to keep it operational into the 21^st century. In addition to remaining an important traffic artery, it is a key feature of Cleveland’s historical inventory, industrial heritage, and skyline panorama.

 60. The Rosendale Railroad Viaduct in Rosendale, Ulster County, New York - (975 foot steel trestle) -1895 -- This imposing trestle was built for the Wallkill Valley Railroad to replace an earlier structure and is featured in the King Bridge Company’s 1898 catalogue. When the railroad was abandoned, its property was acquired by abutting landowners, the viaduct by railroad enthusiast, John Rahl, who has converted it into a hiking trail with spectacular views over Esopus Creek toward the Hudson River.

 61.  The Belmar Railroad Bridge in Venango County, Pennsylvania –(1,361 foot steel truss)  1906 -- This spectacular bridge was built for the Jamestown, Franklin & Clearfield Railroad by the King Bridge Company in collaboration with American Bridge under subcontracts to the Thomas McNally Company of Pittsburgh. The Allegheny Valley Trails Association saved the bridge which now serves as part of nine mile long bike trail.[7]

 62. The Wabash Cannon Ball Bridge at St. Francisville, Illinois (3 spans) –1906

This bridge has a most interesting history. It was originally erected in 1897 in Wilmington, Delaware, then dismantled and move to serve as a railroad bridge over the Wabash River between Indiana and Illinois where it carried the famous Wabash Cannon Ball train. Its center span was a swing bridge. When the railroad abandoned the line, the bridge was purchased by a Vincinnes, Indiana farmer to haul his produce. However, it also serves general  traffic that pays a fifty cent toll for its use. The bridge is maintained jointly by the State of Illinois and the Town of St. Francisville.[8]

 63. The King/American Short Line Viaduct in Cleveland, Ohio?

(research ongoing)

New Additions – November 2003

 

Since this inventory was first compiled earlier in the year, there have been a number of new finds of King bridges still standing in various categories. These are added below:

64. The King Bowstring at the Coonhunters Lodge Golf Course, Scotch Grove, Iowa – 1876 This 54 foot bridge was put on the scrap heap in 1987 after serving as a crossing of Kitty Creek, near Montecello. It was acquired from Jones County by a local citizen who donated it to the Lodge. A valiant band of Lodge members, including Paul Rohrbacker, erected the handsome bridge across a dry wash on the golf course where it now stands providing access to the 9^th hole.

65. The King Bowstring in Kent Park, Johnson County, Iowa – 1870s -This is one of six old bridges that have been placed in County parks over the last decade under the direction of Superintendent of the Johnson County Conservation Board, Larry Lovetinsky. It is beautifully preserved 70 foot span crossing a small lake.

 66. & 67. Two King Beam Girder Bridges in Belle Isle Park, Detroit Michigan - The Belle Isle Park was designed in the 1880s by Fredrick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect who created Central Park in New York and many of great parks in other cities. It contains two bridges built by the King Bridge Company in 1893 that are still in use. One, over the Loup Canal near the Casino, is for pedestrians, and the other called the Central Avenue Bridge and still carries vehicular traffic. The Casino bridge appeared in the King Bridge Company catalogues of the 1890s. Historic bridge lover Nathan H, from Detroit, Michigan, provided pictures showing their elegant decorative railings and King Bridge Company plates. Fredrick Law Olmstead liked to have these decorative bridges as part of his park designs.

68. The “Singing Bridge” in Downtown Frankfort, Kentucky – 1893 -This is an imposing 406 foot Pennsylvania Steel Through Truss with a King Bridge Company plate which was described in the 1890s era King Bridge Company catalogue as “the St. Clair Street Bridge over the Kentucky River”. It has been in continual use for vehicles crossing the Kentucky River and an historical marker provided by local associations to commemorate Kentucky’s 1992 bicentennial celebration. Stephen Smith, Assistant Bridge Engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, sent us pictures. 

 69. The King Bridge in Mill Village Nova Scotia -1883 -This is an 1883 Pratt truss built by the King Bridge Company across the Medway River in Mill Village near Liverpool. It is 144 feet long and still maintained by the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation as a full service vehicular crossing. Jill Cruikshank, Special Projects Coordinator for Economic Development and Tourism of Queens County, Nova Scotia sent us pictures

 70. The Overton Bridge in Madison, Indiana – When the Overton Bridge, built by the King Bridge Company in 1885, was replaced in 2002 by Washington County, it was bought by Jim Barker of Barker Engineering and granted to the Heritage Trail of Madison. It is in storage in a stone quarry in Jefferson County awaiting funds for its engineering and reconstruction on the Heritage Trail

  71. The Tunnel Hill State Trail Beam Girder Bridges, Vienna, Illinois- In 1912, The King bridge Company built a series of beam girder bridges for the Old Big Four Branch of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad between Harrisburg and Karnak in Southern Illinois. There are five of these bridges that are now part of the biking trail built on the abandoned right-of-way, a number with King plates Garry Tally of Carbondale, Illinois recently sent us pictures and descriptions of the trail.

 72. Allegheny County Beam Girder Bridge #5 at McLaughlin Run, Pennsylvania – This 1905 bridge has a plaque citing the King Bridge Company as the builder.

 

Beam Girder Railroad Bridges

There are still a number of King beam girders built for the railroads still being used. Many of these are in the Cleveland area . While hardly the most interesting of old bridge structures, they have to potential for being among the longest lasting.

 Seven CSX Bridges at Buckeye, Steinway, Yeakel, Cumberland, Kennedy, Woodland, and Quincy Streets in Cleveland, Ohio – 1910[9]

Four Norfolk & Southern Bridges at Holyoke, Elsinore, and Eddy Roads, and Northfield Avenue in East Cleveland, Ohio – 1911

The Norfolk & Southern Bridge at Ivanhoe Road in East Cleveland, Ohio -1917

The Norfolk & Southern Bridge at Shaw Avenue in East Cleveland, Ohio -1911

The Bridge for the CTS Rapid Transit and NS/CSX Line at Lorain Avenue and West 143^rd Street in Cleveland, Ohio

 Six bridges on the Lorain & West Virginia Railroad in Lorain County, Ohio - 1906 [10]

 The Through Plate Girder Bridge used by the Cape Cod Railroad at Main Street (Route 6A) in Barnstable, Massachusetts – 1908 – (The last remaining King bridge in Massachusetts.)

 The Steel Girder Bridge for CSX at Brown Street in Rochester, New York – 1918

The Beam Girder Bridge for the Finger Lakes Railway (formerly New York Central) in Auburn, New York – 1912 [11]

 

ENDNOTES: