Holland's Ferry Bridge

More about Mr. Holland and the name of the owner of the adjacent property in 1902

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/MO-FOOTSTEPS/2005-05/1116098096

Looks pretty clear that Holland's ferry crossed here. Time to talk to some locals old enough to remember the area bridges. There are two to the north to account for. It would also be nice to find some physical evidence at the marked location. Saddle up, Luke!

Lots of fun from a picture post card.

Holland's Ferry is likely the local name for it, which is used more for naming on this site than the official names, that way locals who may not be as savvy with computers as we are can find it in a simple Google search.

Did some more digging. Found 1870 map/atlas of Johnson County with map of Fremont township. The land near the present Eden Farms Rd is shown as owned by C.M. Holland and Ferry is printed across the river at that point.

Here's a link:

http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/u?/atlases,250

Perhaps the state used Holland Bridge as the name and the county/ local people called it Holland's Ferry Bridge.

Bing shows evidence of the former C,RI&P railroad crossing just downriver from what appears to be a caisson from the county highway marked in red on the 1914 map. Neither bridge remains but the two crossings can still be located. I'm guessing that since this was marked as a major route it was probably the location of the truss. Wish the Holl** text were clear but I don't see "and's Ferry" in the remaining blur.

Found old county maps here: http://historicalphotos.iowadot.gov/HistoricalPhotos_Home.aspx

Attached a crop from the Johnson county map circa 1914. Shows what appears to say Holl... Bridge near the present Eden Farm rd SE, which might have connected to 150th st of Washington County.

Looks like someone will have to make a trip to see if the abutments still exist.

The map appears to have been signed by Anson Marston, ISU Engineering Dean and 1st Hwy commissioner as well.

looks like there may have been road and rail crossings up where the pin is now.

Good, we're getting some more information on this bridge.

From the August 8, 1900 edition of the cedar Rapids Evening Gazette (http://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-evening-gazette/1900-08-08/page-2)

"The board of supervisors of Johnson county went to inspect the new Holland's ferry bridge yesterday."

I moved the pin up a bit. North of the power line crossing there looks like a pier or something in the water with a road running off to the west.

Location is a shot in the dark.