KB UPDATE 2008
It has been over a year since we have provided an update on recent news affecting old King Bridges. We hope our loyal readers will forgive our tardiness and continue to furnish us with news.
PRESERVATION EFFORTS COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY
Canton, New York Bowstring – The restored bridge was rededicated at a ceremony on June 9, 2008 attended by a large crowd and yours truly, who made this sketch.
Piermont, New York Drawbridge – work was begun in the spring by contractors to Rockland County on the restoration of this unique structure.
See the links below:
Northport, Alabama – the Black Warrior Bowstring Bridge – was successfully lifted off its abutments by two giant cranes and is now ready to be rehabilitated, a project to be undertaken by the University of Alabama, then to be moved to a park in Northport.
There is a video of the move. Contact Ken Willis, the champion who has orchestrated this effort for the details — KDW58BU@aol.com.
Lockport, New York Railroad Bridge – on April 28, NYSDOT announced that the Falls Road Railroad will receive $950,000 to rehabilitate the King bridge over the Erie Canal. This was reported in an email from Jon Kozenewski, Maintenance Forman on the Adirondack & Northern Railroad, a company that is owned by Genesee Valley Transportation, the owner of the Falls Road Railroad which has title to the Lockport railroad bridge. (see the UPDATE of 2005 for pictures and more details). Last year, Jon reported the existence of another King railroad bridge built in 1903 on the Adirondack & Northern across the Sugar River about 38 miles north of Utica.
New York City, University Heights Bridge – a celebration of the 100 anniversary of this bridge was sponsored by the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission in January of 2008.
NEW FINDS
Lincoln County, Tennessee – The Cowley Bowstring Bridge — We have received an email from Mike Tilley of Huntsville, AL with pictures of this bridge across the Elk River near Kelso. It still has one of the old Z. King patent plates which indicate that it is probably of an early 1870s vintage. We will try to find out more.
Marengo County, Alabama – the Half-Chance Iron Bridge – We note an article on Wikipedia describing this 100 foot bowstring in Half Chance built by the King Bridge Company in 1880. Apparently it is now in private ownership after having been abandoned by the county. More information would be appreciated.
Orangetown, New York Pony Truss –– This is another King built bridge across Sparkill Creek in Rockland County which has been encased in cement to keep it in operation. It still has its 1887 builders plate.
Torrington, Connecticut – In May we received photos of two beam girders in Torrington, Connecticut sent by a model railroad enthusiast which were built by the King Bridge Company for the Naugatuck Valley Branch of the New Haven Railroad in 1903. This line is still used occasionally for excursion trains. There are pictures in the New England section of REGIONS furnished byeightyeightfan_99@yahoo.com.
Bowman’s Corners, Montana – Last February, we received an email from William Lay that there is another King bridge listed in the Montana Department of Transportation inventory ( which we have not yet been able to successfully navigate) . It is not far from the recently rehabilitated Dearborn River Bridge.
CLARIFICATION
The Cuyahoga Valley Short Line Viaduct – We had some information from Chip Syme last February telling us that this 1908 railroad viaduct buit by the King Bridge Company (See RAILROAD Addendum 3/27/05 in NEW and the link to the article on this bridge) still exists even though it has been extensively rehabilitated and is now owned by CSX. Nathan Holth has recent pictures and descriptions of it on his Historic Bridges web site.
King Bridge Manufacturing Company, News
