"This 121-foot-long, pin-connected, Pratt through truss bridge was a significant and complete example of its type that probably dated to about 1910. Several of its details-cotter pin fasteners, the composition of built-up sections, the paddle shape of hip verticals at the lower panel points-were similar to those of the 1913 Riverside Bridge near Bluff City, Tennessee, which was documented as erected by the Converse Bridge Company by the Historic American Engineering Record prior to its demolition in 1984. That company likely also built this bridge over Rocky Creek near Jennings crossroads in northern Iredell County.
The Converse Bridge Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee was one of hundreds of bridge building firms that were established in the late 19th century and that thrived on providing prefabricated truss bridges to local highway officials. W. H. Converse, an Ohio native, came to Chattanooga in the early 1880s as an agent for the nationally known Wrought Iron Bridge Company. About 1890 he began to work as a private bridge builder and in 1893 incorporated the Converse Bridge Company. His firm successfully fabricated and marketed truss bridges in the upper South from the 1890s through the 1920s. Not surprisingly, the company was very active in Tennessee: the Tennessee Department of Transportation's historic bridge inventory identified 26 Converse bridges in that state. During the Great Depression, the company built few bridges and subsequently ceased their manufacture. The Sisken Steel & Supply Company of Chattanooga, which is still in business, purchased Converse in 1951."-NCDOT
Has this bridge ever been rebuilt at the Foothills Equestrian Center? I'm just curious to know.
Thanks
Tim
wow........i should have taken your warning, nathan. i think i am going to need a very long shower.
Warning: The replacement bridge is rated EU for Extreme Ugliness. Viewer Discretion Is Advised.
Closed to traffic since (at least) early 2010.
I went to the Foothills Equestrian Center this afternoon to get some pictures of the old iron bridge on Huie road. I live at the top of the hill on Huie. I am sad to say that the bridge has not been reconstructed on the property. I spoke with a gentleman named Greg. He said he is still planning to erect the bridge.