Ball's Ford Bridge

Photos

BH Photo #400927

Overview: Lost Parker through truss bridge over Des Moines River on Des Moines RFD 2/Avon RFD 1
Location: Levey, Polk County, Iowa
Status: Replaced by a new bridge
History: Built ca. 1891 as 4 Parker through trusses; One span replaced by a Pratt through truss 1909; One span collapsed June 23rd, 1938 under weight of car; One span relocated to Warren County and has since been demolished
Builders: - Clinton Bridge & Iron Works of Clinton, Iowa (Pratt Approach)
- King Iron Bridge & Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio (Parker Main Spans) [also known as King Bridge Co.]
Design: 3 Pinned Parker through trusses
1 Riveted Pratt through truss
Also called: Levey Bridge
Des Moines RFD 2 Bridge
Avon RFD 1 Bridge
Approximate latitude, longitude: +41.55137, -93.52472 (decimal degrees)
41°33'05" N, 93°31'29" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 15/456239/4600100 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:: Des Moines SE
Inventory number: BH 70467 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

January 18, 2020: Updated by Luke: Added Clinton span build date
December 18, 2019: Updated by Luke: Added photo + updated causes of loss; Noted relocated spans
August 25, 2017: New photos from Luke
August 13, 2017: Updated by Luke: Added builder
January 8, 2016: Updated by Luke: Circa build date + possible historical names
January 7, 2016: Added by Luke