Old Military Bridge

And we all benefit!

Thanks Art. You know I love research and documentation.

Melissa,

I love the three articles you found!

This is a perfect example that things aren't always what they seem.

In 1878 the crossing was known as Military Ford. Implying this may be the first bridge at this site. They also only ordered the through span (the middle one). I suspect something changed once construction started and the pony trusses were added.

Given the change in design between the 1878 article and what as built, I'm guessing it took a little while for the dust to settle. It was a split vote to begin with the location chosen to save cost. My guess is the bridge wasn't finished until 1879, maybe 1880.

Then looking at the 1963 article has the bridge as built in 1840 (before the bowstring was invented). And the 1974 article has it at 1864. Also note what it would have cost to fix according to the 1874 article.

These three articles are an excellent example of why I've grown to be cautious and your research is so helpful.

We are gradually reclaiming a portion of our history that we unknowingly lost. Bringing back the historical context should help with preservation.

Regards,

Art S.

At least the pylons are in decent shape. The Whitewater Bridge is (obviously) much more vulnerable.

Heavy rain predicted for the next couple of days and showers through Memorial Day. It's not the first bad flood this bridge has endured.

The Marmaton River is another River in Kansas that is flooding right now. This bridge is going to have a long night ahead of it.

Definitely worth checking out!

cool find!

Kansas lost a Bedstead that way...

http://bridgehunter.com/ks/neosho/671047006409/

Tell me about it!

Indiana lost it's only WIBCo. tubular bowstring to a tree several years ago!!

http://bridgehunter.com/in/miami/5200039/

Awesome! Hopefully before a tree falls on it! I have seen a tree crush a bridge one too many times...

This bridge is included in Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority planning for trails in the future. Long Shoals is part of the whole plan out to Bid in December. The King Rr bridge a as also evaluated by us 6 years ago.

WOW! (there I said it). Nick got some stunning photos of this beauty! Great fieldwork! I wish I could have been there.

Believe it or not, I have never seen this bridge in person.

Re-visit, posted new pics with friends only to get better perspective of the grand size of this beauty. GI-GANTIC,and great elevation.

Visit to the old military bridge this afternoon. Quite the Survivor. Really beautiful, pretty solid comma very little of the iron Wiggles at all, bolts are still tight, as are rods and cross bars - amazing. Asked permission from neighbors around just in case, do not think it is on private property although some woods had to be traversed to get to it. Hope I look that good when I'm a hundred and thirty-eight

"Old Military Bridge" is indeed the common local name. This is one of many instances where the commonly used name is a bit of a misnomer. Regardless, I like to have the most common local name listed under "name" or "alternate name". Even if it may not be completely historically accurate, it needs to appear somewhere on the page. Of course, we can always use the "Description" section or the essay tool to elaborate on any inconsistencies between historical facts and popular names.

A similar situation occurred with the "UP Crossing" Bridge in Cloud County, Kansas which never actually carried the UP Railroad.

It was a public bridge built on an old military road. The road was built by the military to connect frontier forts.

though this bridge was built long after the US Army left Fort Scott, locally everyone calls it the "old military bridge" -- just wanted to add that to your info.

What a neat old bridge. Hopefully this old beast will be restored.

The trusses and the abutments look to be pretty sound on this bridge. The trees growing up through the bridge could jeopardize it's stability and should be removed. Hopefully this majestic span will be rehabilitated sometime in the near future.

After looking at photo # 7, it appears that perhaps one of the floorbeams was cut out and used as a barricade.

Good to see some pictures on here. I have not been able to visit this bridge yet. Any triple span bowstring bridge should be considered of national significance.

Link to photos:

http://khri.kansasgis.org/index.cfm?tab=details&in=011-0000-...

Several new photos of this bridge have been added to the KSHS Website. It appears that the original railings (perhaps wood) were replaced by lattice hubguards, probably wrought iron and of historical value themselves.

The bridge is in very poor condition, but all three original bowstring spans are extant.

This website has photos.

http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/sertile/index.php/2006/05/...

I should mention that I have not actually seen this bridge. It is listed on the NRHP however.

This bridge may or may not still be standing. The roads in both directions dead-end well before they approach the river.