Cruciform Outriggers
View Exhibit mapAn outrigger is the strut, or compression member, that braces a truss web and keeps it vertical AND is position outboard of the truss web. Typically this is only a feature of a pony truss. If it were inboard of the web, it is often called an inrigger.
Cruciform means "cross shaped". In this case, if the strut is viewed from the end, it will have an cross, or "X" profile. The purpose of this shape is because a member under compression stress is subject to buckle, and the larger the cross-section dimension the longer it can be and still not buckle. By employing the cruciform shape, the cross section dimension is longer - but without weighing as much as it would if it were solid.
Most cruciform outriggers are forged with threaded rod ends and the entire middle has the cruciform shape. It is a feature typical only on early iron bridges, (before 1900) and is usually on struts not more than about 6 ft [2 m] long.
Austin-Santa Fe Park Bridge (Neosho County, Kansas)
Built 1872 near Chanute by the King Iron Bridge Co. Moved downstream ca. 1910. Relocated to Santa Fe Park in Chanute, Kansas.Relocated Bowstring through truss bridge over Little Turkey CreekOpen to pedestrians
Camp Branch Bridge (Cass County, Missouri)
Pratt pony truss bridge over Camp Branch on private lanePrivate, limited use
Cedar Creek-King Rd. Bridge (Jefferson County, Kansas)
Abandoned pony truss bridge over Cedar Creek on King Road (Abandoned)Derelict/abandoned
City Park Bridge #1 (Bates County, Missouri)
Pratt pony truss bridge over Branch of Big Deer Creek on Pedestrian Pathway(?)Open to pedestrians(?)
Cowley Bridge (Lincoln County, Tennessee)
Built by the King Iron Bridge Co. in 1878 for $8,000, the only Bowstring truss bridge in the state of Tennessee. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.Bowstring through truss bridge over Elk River on West Stevens Creek RoadOpen to pedestrian traffic only
Elm Creek Bridge (Marshall County, Kansas)
Built ca. 1910Pony truss bridge over Elm Creek, 1.5 mi. south and 3.5 mi. east of SchroyerIntact but closed to all traffic
Grasshopper Creek Bridge (Atchison County, Kansas)
Built ca. 1890.Pratt pony truss bridge over Grasshopper Creek, 2.0 mi. north and 0.6 mi. west of MuscotahIntact but closed to all traffic
Iron Bridge Road Bridge (Pike County, Indiana)
Built in 1875 by William T. Washer using the Smith Bridge Company's "Iron Arch #1 Design".Bowstring pony truss bridge over Patoka River on CR 650 EastDismantled to be restored
Kent Park Bowstring Arch Bridge (Johnson County, Iowa)
Built in the 1870's over a tributary of Old Man's Creek in Liberty Township on Dane Road this bridge was moved to F.W. Kent Park in the late 1990'sBowstring pony truss bridge on a trail at F.W. Kent County ParkOpen to pedestrians
Little Muddy Creek Bridge (Shawnee County, Kansas)
Original old bridge was gifted and moved to Farm from nearby community in 1958Pratt through truss bridge over Little Muddy Creek on Rees Fruit Farm orchard roadOpen to authorized vehicles only, solid, new oak decking 2018
Meriden Rock Creek Bridge (Jefferson County, Kansas)
Built ca. 1880; Relocated in 1983 and again ca. 2020.Bowstring pony truss bridge over Rock Creek near MeridenReplaced by a new bridge, but relocated and preserved
Milford Lake Kingpost Truss (Clay County, Kansas)
Abandoned kingpost pony truss bridge over Milford Lake Tributary on Abandoned RoadFoundation Partially Submerged
Mulberry Creek Bridge (Fayette County, Texas)
Built 1888 by A.J. Tullock and Company; Replacement bridge built in 2001 and 1888 bridge relocated to a park in SchulenburgRelocated Bedstead pony truss bridge. Formerly Hermis Road (CR 424) over Mulberry CreekRelocated from Hermis Road (CR 424) to a park in Schulenburg and open to pedestrians.
North Cedar Creek Bridge (Jefferson County, Kansas)
Pratt pony truss bridge over North Cedar CreekIn use on a farm lane, possible old road alignment
Old Military Bridge (Bourbon County, Kansas)
Built ca. 1878. Closed to vehicular traffic in 1965. Wooden deck destroyed by fire in 1974.Abandoned bowstring through truss bridge over Marmaton River on 240th StreetAbandoned
Paint Creek Bridge (Carroll County, Indiana)
Originally built near Camden in 1874 by the Massillon Bridge Company; Rehabilitated in 1999 and moved to Canal ParkBowstring pony truss bridge over Old Wabash & Erie Canal on Delphi Historic Trails in Delphi. Right of way is old Delphi Belt Railroad property and site of former bridge on this long abandoned spur.Open to pedestrians
Pryor Road Cedar Creek Bridge (Jackson County, Missouri)
NB gives build date of 1910; Engineering report suggests that this was built around 1870Lost pony truss bridge over Cedar Creek on Pryor Road in Lee's Summitreplaced by a new bridge
Smith Road Bridge (Franklin County, Ohio)
Built 1881 on Smith Road over Sycamore Creek in Crawford County by the King Bridge Co. Relocated 1989 to Historical Society MuseumBowstring pony truss bridge over Pedestrian Trail on Pedestrian TrailOpen to pedestrians
Springfield Bridge (current location) (Faulkner County, Arkansas)
Fabricated in 1871 but not installed over Cadron Creek until 1874. Removed November 2016 for relocation; restoration completed Aug. 10, 2017; bridge dedicated Sept. 23, 2017Relocated bowstring through truss bridge over Beaverfork Lake on Beaverfork Park TrailwayOpen to pedestrians