Bridge Island Bridge (Private)

My dads family lived on this island when there was just a boat and a railroad bridge. We wondered for years where this island was and what had happened with it. Unfortunately he sold the island when his mother died. They were a blended family of Smith's and Profits living there at that time. There should be a hold house with a well that was dug by my Grandmothers nephew so that they did not have to carry water to the house.

This is a part of our family history. And yes, we still talk about the island. I am glad to finally have the knowledge of where it is. Mystery solved.

Its a deal!

I'll make you a deal Mike...

I'm still an infant when it comes to concrete arches and such... so if you'll help me with those I will hook you up with the trusses! ;-)

Thanks for the excellent information Tony. I was just amused at how fast you had come up with the name of the company.

Mike

I consider myself a "Details Junkie" and have compiled way too much stuff in my noggin through the years. Since plaques are more than often missing and county records buried under dust, I look for these little markers to help identify a builder.

From about 1885 to the early 1890's King used a style of portal bracing that I have dubbed the "X's and O's" style. Indiana has a couple of these and the Bridge Island span has very similar bracing. Certainly other builders have used circles in their bracing, but the largest one in this span seems to be a perfect match to the Indiana ones.

Some might not consider this a "slam dunk", but I feel pretty confident in calling this one a King.

*The big circle on the Indiana spans also have that flange but it is turned the other way.

Regarding Bridge maker ID. There are a few ways to determine "maker" of bridges. One, and the most telling is a Nameplate on the bridge. The King Iron Bridge Company was fairly good about putting a good solid nameplate on their bridges, usually on a vertical. While it is not shown in the photos attached to this listing, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Another would be county records, which are available at the county seat of the county where the bridge is located. Then there is the NBI, an older edition, when this was an open county road. I realize I haven't answered your specific question about this specific bridge, but I think the info is not that hard to find.

Tony,

I am not and never claimed to be a truss bridge expert, there are just too few in my part of the country. I have got to know, what is the unique feature that links this bridge to the King Bridge Company?

I appreciate the information on this bridge. It is rather difficult to determine just about anything on these private structures.

MG