Historic Bridges of the U.S.

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Photos

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Overview of the old bridge

This was taken April 2002. Within a year, none of the bridge remained.

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Deck during flooding

In March 2002, Castor River flooded but did not damage the old bridge

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Approach covered with water

Ironically, the bridge was high and dry during the flood but the northern approach was nearly impassible.

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On the old bridge

Your webmaster poses on the bridge in April 2002, not knowing that the bridge was about to have an unfortunate encounter with a bulldozer.

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Construction begins

By March 2003 the bridge was gone and a temporary low-water crossing was installed.

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Remaining artifacts

A pinned joint, a girder, and some other scraps remained from the old bridge.

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Piers built May 2003

By May 2003 the piers were under construction.

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Main span in September 2003

A few months later the bridge was largely completed.

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Deck view September 2003

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View of finished bridge

This was taken March 2004, but the bridge had been open already for several months.

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View of finished deck

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New plaque

The south end of the new bridge features a builder's plaque

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Remnants of wooden deck

A section of wooden deck from the old bridge still sits downstream on the south bank

Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Diagram

Facts

Overview: Lost through truss bridge over Castor River north of Gipsy on CR 736
Location: Bollinger County, Missouri
Status: Demolished in Summer 2002 and replaced with a boring concrete bridge
History: Built 1928
Design: Southern span: Pin-connected, 7-panel Pratt through truss
Northern span: Pin-connected, half-hip Pratt pony truss
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 111.8 ft.
Total length: 222.1 ft.
Deck width: 11.5 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude: +37.15745, -90.18246 (decimal degrees)
37°09'27" N, 90°10'57" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Land survey: T. 28 N., R. 8 E., Sec. 28
Elevation: 398 ft. above sea level
Inventory number: BH 20876 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

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Comments

Gipsy Bridge

Posted June 5, 2006, by Dale (dalebidge [at] yahoo [dot] com)

Camping at Gipsy was great! Every summer when I was a kid, my whole extended family got together for a week of fun and togetherness. I have begun searching for another spot like the Gipsy bridge campground so that all of my cousins and I can keep the tradition going with our kids, but no luck so far. So much for progress...

Gipsy Bridge

Posted March 1, 2006, by John Williams (jcwill [at] gmail [dot] com)

I remember camping at the old Gypsy Bridge Campground as a child/teenager. (in the 1970's) There was a square dance stage set up there, and on one side of the bridge there was a small trail that led up to a gorgeous overview of the river.

Thanks for letting me see that fine old bridge one last time!

John