HISTORIC STEEL TRUSS BRIDGES IN THE UNITED STATES *
Friday, May 15, 2026
LIBERTY MILLS BRIDGE - LIBERTY MILLS, INDIANA
Liberty Mills Bridge, just north of Liberty Mills on 1st Street (N 300 E), in Wabash County, Indiana. Intersected-1st Street over Eel River. Construcrtion Date-ca.1890. Length-150'. Structure Type-Metal 8 Panel Pin-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Metal Stringer (Multi-Beam) Fixed. Builder/Contractor-Unknown. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-8500535. GPS: 41.038230, -85.738180
Saturday, April 18, 2026
HISTORIC STEEL TRUSS BRIDGES IN THE UNITED STATES (93)
During my traveling, photographing covered bridges, lighthouses, and historic homes, I come across these fascinating, architectural wonders. These steel truss bridges were the transitioning era from the covered bridges to the modern bridges of today. A lot of these trusses designs are similar to the wooden trusses of the covered bridges. Sadly, these bridges, just as the covered bridges, are getting more and more uncommon to see. As more efficient bridges are being made, these old steel truss bridges are being replaced. Some smaller roads and rural areas are still home to these bridges, but even these are quickly being replaced due to the practicability of the cost of restoration and the load limits. There are city, state, and federal governments that have purposely kept some of these old bridges for historical purposes. However, to fully maintain their their true historic perspective is during the rehabilitation process, the original rivets are to be replaced by the rivet process, not by the newer engineering with bolts and nuts. The vast majority of these bridges are over 100 years old, however there are a few that are 80 years old but still constructed in the historic process. I am just starting this blog on May 12, 2023, I hope you will enjoy the posts. Please note, to see all posts, at the right bottom of each page click on "older posts".