EAST SWINNEY PARK BRIDGE - FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

East Swinney Park Bridge, intersection at Mechanic St. & Elm. St., Fort Wayne, in Allen County, Indiana. Intersected-Rivergreenway(Non-Motorized Path) Over St. Marys River.  Construction Date-1898. Structure Length-180'. Structure Type-Metal 15 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed, and Approach Spans: Metal Stringer (Multi-Beam), Fixed. Builder/Contractor-King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-N/A. Inventory Number-N/A. GPS: 41.077560, -85.159950

This is a turn-of-the-century Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss bridge that was originally built to support pedestrian traffic only.

Architectural Description

The King Bridge Company of Cleveland secured a $2100 contract to build this major pedestrian entrance into Swinney Park in 1898. It consists of a through-truss span with five metal beam approaches to the west. The through-truss span consists of 1-foot panels. The top chord and end-panels were fabricated  from pair of channels and cover plate riveted together. For the outer pair of panels on each end of the lower chord, the members consist of a pair of channels riveted together with battens; the interior members rely on a pair of eye-bars. A pair of square rods provide the hip verticals; the interior ones were made from a pair of laced 5-inch channels. The diagonals rely on a pair rectangular eye-bars, tighter toward midspan. Five of the more central panels are countered with adjustable square rods. The portal struts are latticed; interior ones are a pair of laced angles and carry knee-braces. Rolled I floor-beams are U-bolted to the pins. They carry runs of channel stringers which support the walkway. Concrete substructure. Timber deck.

DENNISTON BRIDGE - MEXICO, INDIANA

 Denniston Bridge, 2.6 miles from Mexico, in Miami County, Indiana. Intersected-Miami County Rd. 440 W (approximately 500' from W. Eel River Rd. intersection) over Eel River. Construction Date-1883. Structure Length-244', Main Span-122'. Structure Type-Two Span, Metal 8 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor-Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-N/A. Inventory Number - 5200050. GPS: 40.814180, -86.156852

Statement of Significance

One of the oldest Pratts extant in Indiana and the oldest example of this prolific Ohio firm, the spans retain their integrity including decorated portals and bracing.

Architectural Description

The Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio, fabricated this two-span, pin-connected Pratt through structure of 243' upon cut stone abutments, wingwalls, and pier. Intermediate verticals of two sizes of reinforced I beams subdivide each 122' span into most of its eight panels. Eyebars provide the diagonals: pairs stretch toward center span from the top panel point to the bottom of all except the endpost panels; cylindrical eyebars with turnbuckles counter the others in the three most central panels. Special adjustable eyebars run through the intermediate verticals parallel to and about midway between the chords. U-bolted to the lower pins, heavy and rectangular girder floor-beams carry the timber deck with its 17'7" roadway and 20'5" of vertical clearance. 

LOST BRIDGE - DENVER, INDIANA

Lost Bridge, 1.5 miles SE of Denver, in Miami County, Indiana. Intersected-CR-100 East over Eel River. Construction Date-1920. Structure Length-230', Main Span-112'. Structure Type-Two Span, Metal 7 Panel Bolt-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor-Rochester Bridge Company of Rochester, Indiana. Rehabilitation Date-N/A. Inventory Number-5200022. GPS: 40.855390, -86.055900. (Although this bridge overall has the appearance of a riveted truss bridge, the truss connections are actually bolted, making this bridge uncommon for its age.) 

Statement of Significance

Seated upon a concrete pier, abutments, and wingwalls, these two largely-bolted, Pratt through spans extend 227' in seven panels for each pair of trusses. A pair of laced heavy channels provides each intermediate vertical, and a pair of angles riveted together with battens supplies the diagonal and counter sets. Only the center panel is countered. The I floor beams are bolted to the verticals below the lower chord. The bridge carries an asphalt-over-timber deck with a 15'10" roadway and 14'6" of vertical clearance. Bolted Pratt through structures are not plentiful in Indiana, especially two-span ones. The design of these trusses is quite standard. The undecorated bridge retains its original members.

BUTLER BRIDGE - ROANN, INDIANA

Butler Bridge, 2.6 miles WSW of Roann, in Miami County, Indiana. Intersected-E 950 N over Eel River. Next to County Rd. 600 E/E 950 N intersection. Construction Date -1903. Structure Length-286', Main Span-140'. Structure Type-2 Main Span, Metal 7 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor-Pan American Bridge Company of New Castle, Indiana. Rehabilitation Date-1982. Inventory Number-5200041. GPS: 40.904770, -85.965860.