Bridge Highlights

This Page is designed to show some interesting features of the bridge.


WER
1881
AUG
These initials were on a weatherboard inside the bridge on the northeast end.
They have been removed by The Jackson County Highway
Department for preservation and are in their possession.


This image by Randy Branaman shows the autograph of the two men who painted the bridge in 1906, according to Joe Reynolds of Brownstown.  Joe is the grandson of Mr. Lucas.  The picture is between the siding and the roof on the outside arch of the south side of the east span and can be seen from the new bridge.  It will be visible after the restoration is complete.



At each end and down the center of the bridge are nails marked with orange.
The center nails mark the center of the bridge from side to side and the end nails mark where the measurement of the length begins and ends.  The engineer's measurement of the bridge using this criteria is 430'5".
The original contract calls for three spans of 140'10"
 for a total span of 431'10" including the piers. 
The original contract calls for two 14'1" overhangs for a total ground length of 460'.
When this research began, the information available was that the bridge was
 434' long with two 12' overhangs for a total length of 458'. 
The source of this information has not been determined.


The abutment on the west end of the bridge will be dismantled and reassembled.  The stones that are not reusable will be matched as much as possible with original stones.  Pilings will be driven into the ground and the span will be raised during this procedure. 


The arches are put together with 8 sections.  The 6 sections in the center are each approximately 20 feet long and 16 inches high.  The end sections are longer and higher as they join the abutments and piers.  The arches are doubled on each side. There are many interesting theories as to how they sawed the arches. 


The skewback stones are the stones the arches rest against.  They are cut at the same angle as the arches for maximum strength.  They will be replaced as necessary during restoration.  The arches will also be replaced as needed.  Much of the original metal is thought to be furnished by L.  L. James.  These bolts have been replaced.

  
There are two layers of flooring.  The subfloor consists of 3x8 planks, 12-14 feet in length.  The top layer is 2x8 planks of the same length.  The top layer will be replaced, with as many existing boards as possible being salvaged and installed on the outside 3 rows on each side running the length of the bridge.  The status of the sub floor is yet to be determined because of extensive deterioration of some of the boards.    

   
At least some if not all of the original metal work was supplied by Lycurgis Livingston (L. L.) James, a Medora blacksmith.  As much of the original metal as possible will be retained during restoration.  This site gives some history of nailmaking:  www.glasgowsteelnail.com/nailmaking.htm


This is one of four joints inside the bridge over the piers on both sides between the arches.  Their purpose is probably for expansion and contraction.  The beams are hand hewn and extend overhead the entire length of the bridge. 


There are fragments of advertising signs throughout the bridge.
The bridge was a free bridge (no toll).  It is unknown if there was a charge to advertise.  Note the open space at the top for ventilation.


This hole in the side of the bridge was designed for removal of waste.  Originally, there was a door.  The doors over the two piers on the north side will be restored as part of the restoration.


There are pegs on the three arches on the north side.  Their originality has not been verified.  It is difficult to see in this picture but there are threads at the top.  They possibly had glass insulators and were for telephone or even telegraph wires.  Lamps for lighting the bridge at night have also been suggested.  Electric wires were probably not strung through the bridge for safety reasons.