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.

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