Recent Tennessee Comments
Post a comment Contact webmasterThe 1964 postcard of this bridge shows two curved t-beams. I found that these still are standing today. I am guessing there are not many of these remaining in Tennessee, so I added them:
http://bridgehunter.com/tn/hamilton/bh56595/
http://bridgehunter.com/tn/hamilton/bh56594/
Martha, do you have any photos of these bridges?
lived in area for over 59 yrs anfd in this county for over 75 uyears. the old train trestle replaced one destroyed in war years ago trestle drossses white side rd a few hundred yaeds back, it was constructed to cross freeway. lots of history in area just before trestle on right you can see historic sign denoting running water creek an old indian town. hope this enlightens yoU A LITTLE ON THIS AREA. HAVE A NICE DAY. jackwooten37@yahoo.com
Great photos, Alex! Older pics are hard to come by, and these are fantastic.
Please tell me where the blurred pictures are, and I will gladly remove them.
Your comments would have been much more appreciated, had you sent them to me privately, instead of in a public conversation. My email is posted.
But I realize that today's generation would rather criticize publically.
BTW.. where might we sample some of your photos?
Blurry, out of focus photos only have value if they photos of UFO's. Especially if you have in focus photos already.
I'll address some of the comments about "too many photos."
I am not a "shutterbug." I am a photographer by nature.. each picture I take, tells a story focusing on a subject, whether by angle, by lighting, by positioning, or by George.. there is a reason that picture needs to be taken. The bigger the bridge, the more opportunity to show the sheer majestry of the structure.
I guess I'm not like most bridge photographers. I get up close and personal with each structure, to document the way it was built and the method by which it was built, right down to each rivet, each beam, each truss, everything perfectly measured and formed. I become one with the framework. They don't make bridges the way the bridges spotlighted on Bridgehunter.com are made, and that method is something to be preserved.
I also take lots of pictures because with the frequency of demolition, many of these old splendid giants are living on borrowed time. The more pictures logged, the more of a record of how elegantly it was made.
Oh yeah... I guess I could take 3 or 4 pictures of a bridge and be content with every bridge looking exactly like the next one downriver, but I think bridgehunter.com is more than just a superficial glance at bridges. I feel like it is a collection of what makes a classic bridge special, what endears it to the history of the area where it's located, and what makes it part of the fabric of the era that it was built.
I have been a member of bridgehunter.com for years, and the website has never had a limit to the number of pictures that anyone can post. Although I cannot speak for him, I have indeed spoken with Mr. Baughn several times, and I don't believe he intended to place a limit on the number of pictures. I found him to be an avid bridgehunter, often in awe of these magnificent structures, and very appreciative of the contributions that are made that capture the elegance and engineering of them.
BTW, several sets of bridge pictures that I have taken have been selected by the National Park Service, several bridge building companies, city governments and universities, for educational purposes. Also, several sets I have taken of bridges in use have highlighted problems within a particular bridge's makeup, and bridge owners have thanked me for pointing out repairs that need to be made, to preserve the bridges.
Thanks for your support, fellow bridgehunters.. On to the next one!
"Everybody derps"
Another repeat. Are you folks even trying anymore?
I'll definitely need to go back in Fall. There's barely any visibility right now.
Video of bridge in operation.
My grandfather JM Hickman built this bridge. What a treat to see these photos.
i have liveed in this area for over 72 years , the old train trestle was on onl whiteside road , do not remember when new bridge trestle built think old trstle can be seen on old hwy 136 adjacent to freway, lots of history in this area cheokkee town ofrunning waterwas located nearbyy think whiteside was named for war, but not entirely sure, have you noted tearing down og old bridge up stream on i24.
this is a very historicsiote also and the remsauns of old hales bar dam are located app a quarter mile upstream. hope you understand importance of this bridge and area, if the bridge is destroyed area histoty gone forever this is reason i have fought for over year on this issue(Tdot of Tn has absolutely been terrible concerning this bridge, not a necessity only political motivated 9all truss bridges being
torn down REDICILIOUS (SAVE AMERICA INFRASTRUCTURE.
having lived app over 50 years near this old trustle which was probably built in 168 replaced ool bridge nearby on old whiteside rd, a marker noting running water area sits just for hwy 134 it can be seen headed toward chattanooga just before this old trestle. hope this helped some jackwooten37@yahoo.com
Looking at the spacing, I am guessing that the three concrete pillars replaced one steel support. I suspect that the original steel support would have spanned what is now the median of the interstate.
Pure speculation...
Did this bridge always have those three concrete piers; or were they added when the interstate was built to replace the steel ones?
Have always wondered about this trestle, as for two decades it's never ceased to surprise me as we round the bend passing through the area (a fairly frequent travel) and suddenly this massive hulk of metal appears, towering over the road. Awesome structure.
The Rock Island referred to in this bridge's name can't have anything to do with the former railroad, and is probably related to the local geography. The Rock Island RR never got near this area; the farthest it ever penetrated into Tennessee being Memphis.
This is another bridge originally built by the Tennessee Central Railroad that fell into the hands of the Southern Railway after TC's 1968 bankruptcy. This bridge along with three beautiful trestles are located in a thirteen mile stretch of track now operated by a limestone mining co in Crab Orchard, TN. After the closure of the TC the Tennessee State legislature passed a bill allowing the state to purchase the entire rail line and hopefully operate it as a tourist railroad. That bill was vetoed by the Governor.
This bridge was originally built by the Tennessee Central Railroad. It was used for passenger train access by TC trains to their passenger terminal in Harriman. Trains were turned on a "wye" track at the Emory Gap yard and then backed the last few miles across this bridge into Harriman. Southern Railroad acquired the bridge after the Tennessee Central bankruptcy in 1968. One of the photos shows a rail car on a track under the bridge. The track in that photo was owned by the Harriman and Northeastern Railroad. H&NE's passenger terminal was just to the photographers right. For several years after the beginning of the twentieth century the little town of Harriman was served by by up to five railroads simultaneously. (TC, H&NE, L&N, Southern and the CNOTP)
hate to have to answer own post, but saw comment i made on old haletown bridge and it was disturbing to me, tdot will not be truthful on old haletown tn bridge, people are kept in dark when it comes to tdot of tn , if everything tdot saie was right we as americans would soon go under. and i stand behind this 100%. IF OUR GOVERNMENTAL RUN JOBS WERE ALL LIKE TDOT AMERICA WOULD BE IN RUIN, KNOW PROGRESS IS IMPORTANT, BUT WHERE TO FIND RIGHT SOLUTI9N MAYBE DIFFICULT, THE DESTRUCTION OF OLD HALETOWN BRIDGE FITS THIS CATEGORY, THIS BRIDGE SHOULD NEVER LOOK LIKE IT DOES TODAY, EXCUSE LANGUAGE BUT THIS BRIDGE LOOKS LIKE HELL, ALL BECAUSE OF TDOT OF TN, HOPING THIS WILL GET ME A RESPONCE OUT OF TDOT, IF IT DOES THEN I'VE BROKE OVER YEAR STALEMATE WITH TDOT, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY TDOT WILL RESPOND TO AN IMPORTANT ISSUE(THIS BRIDGEWAS A VITAL NORTH SOUTH ROUTE UNTIL 1-24 BUT DUE TO POLITICAL ISSUE INVOLVED IT IS ABOUT TO HIT THE TN RIVER WHY? WHY? (THIS BRIDGE IS BEING DESTROYED FOR MORE FEASIBLE BRIDGE IS A BUNCH OF BULL AND I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO GO INTO A LENGTHY MESSAGE (MY MAIN MESSAGE IS THAT THIS BRIDGE BE SAVED FOR FUTURE GHENERSATIONS AND BE ASSET TO HALETOWN TN COMMUNITY.
Here are a few more pictures of the Hamond Bridge being built.
Alcoa Terminal RR Bridge is passes over East Edison Street.
The is a second bridge (arched tunnel) located to the north.
It is tentatively planned to be restored for greenway use and a connection to the new Alcoa High School.
I've read that the original bridge which this replaced was relocated to the Murphy Branch North Carolina circa 1942.
You can find an old post card picture on the net, this bridge should never been on chopping block for destruction I'm am 100% it should remain but tdot of tn as yet to discuss this important bridge at haletown Tn, why, I do not know this is the worst lock jaw situation I have ever faced tell tdot i'm still waiting ( and i will state further I'm still waiting have you lost your computer. Jackwooten37@yahoo.com
why are vetrans being maltreated on haletown tn bridge, and why has tdot of tn hsad a year of silence on what is happening in Haletown TN (SOMEPNE GIVE ME SOME NEWS IT WILL PROBABLY BE STALE LET ME KNOW
Located this bridge in the records of the old Tennessee Highway Department, updated information, statistics and daylight pictures. A jewel of a find.. thanks Eddie and Daniel!
Here are some photos of this old bridge before they took out all but the center span. I have some old family photos of the bridge that I cannot seem to find, so sadly these aren't mine. These are screen caps from a DVD from Pentrex about the rail line this bridge was part of. I highly recommend this DVD to any rail fan.
You can order said DVD here http://www.pentrex.com/rthdvd.html For a nice preview go here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_33Xe9XTMQ&feature=player_embedded.
First picture is a side view of the bridge.
Second picture is a photo taken by someone standing on the curved section of the bridge.
Third doesn't show the old bridge itself, but was taken of the US 27 road bridge, and in the background is the current rail bridge, and was taken standing on the old bridge.
I was really excited to watch this DVD and was even more excited to find these great shows of this bridge before they took down most of it. This program was filmed somewhere in the mid 1990s.
These images are copyright of Pentrex, and were posted with copyright permission from them.
This youtube video of the Brimstone Railroad has a shot of the old bridge and also the new one. Skip to around 3:12 or so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEUH8CL5hMA
I remember this bridge very well, and I certainly do not miss it. It was so narrow that everytime you met a tractor-trailer rig on it you had to wonder that you didn't scrape the truck's side or the bridge's side, lol
hope you were not calling marion memorial bridge in haletown tn ugly. it is very unique on national registry , if you are talking ugly i'll agree 100% bbut this bridge is dedicated to vets and it is in terrible shape because tdot of tn has nearly destroyed a landmark dedicated to VETS.
Only when UCEBS and MOBs are involved...
You must be a thoroughly boring and relatively unpleasant person to be around in real life.
NICE FIND
I would visit if I could. To see this fine bridge of wood. Built on an incline so divine, its beauty to always shine.
NICE FIND.
MODERNE/NON-HISTORIQUE!
What a treat to stand in a garden of roses. Such a fine treat for the noses.
But let us not, alas, neglect the much maligned Dandelion...
So cheery is the Dandelion with its happy yellow flare. So beneficial is the Dandelion with edible roots to share.
But should you start a rose garden, then roses exclusively it must be. For such a colorful mosaic must remain Dandelion free.
What a treat to find a website with such historic ponts. For a dedicated bridge fan, it fulfills our many wants.
But thankful we are for the UCEB...
It can carry commercial trucks. Though it is never a nice spot for to pause and feed the ducks.
Yes, I love Bridgehunter for its fine trusses so fare. I come here not to see UCEBS, for which I do not care.
Of great value is this website for a historic bridge geek. I hope that this bridge can be deleted for it is MODERNE/NON-HISTORQUE.
The Railfanning link is referring to a swing bridge at Clarksville, not Nashville.
Yeah, you guys are right -- also, I'm an idiot, since the original wooden bridge burned down in 1864, so that makes no sense.
Looks like those sources are either wrong or they are referring to a different bridge..
Chris,
The technology associated with this bridge and its design was not available until around 1900, so I think that the build date shown is correct. This bridge is most likely a replacement for the bridge that was built in 1859. This is definitely a post-1900 truss design.
The truss spans of this bridge stylistically date to the 20th Century. The 1916 date seems appropriate. Trusses with members this massive and with riveted connections were not built in 1859. Very few railroad truss bridges built before 1880 exist today because they were not strong enough to handle increasing loads.
Hey guys,
I am finding numerous references claiming that this bridge was built in 1859, not 1916.
As it replaced the original wooden structure burned in the civil war, this seems much more likely, unless the bridge was not replaced for over 50 years.
References:
http://railfanning.org/2009/11/historic-trestle-a-landmark-in-its-own-right/
"Nashville Then and Now" also makes reference to an 1859 build date.
Thoughts?
Seems folks are getting a little fussy about those 111 photos, so I'm going to post some in the comments section again for safe measure. ;)
I do note how someone asked for a little more detail about the shot's, so I will do my best! Hope you enjoy these.
Shot #1 is a rarely seen view of the New River viaduct. In beautiful mid-morning sunlight it is pictured spanning in gorge in all its beauty.
Shot #2 shows the beginnings of the bridge taking shape in 1962. This is the first pillar going up. Shot from the south looking north.
Shot #3 is from the cab of the northbound Royal Palm as the photographer leans out the window. The bridge has been open less than 24 hours at this point.
Indeed Ed. In 2007 the City of Cincinnati earned $19 billion from the lease agreements, so I doubt they will be letting go of it anytime soon. The fact the city made that much off it and the line still rosters as NS' second most profitable on the entire 22,000 mile system is amazing. A true testament to how much importance this line holds.
I appreciate seeing this discussion. I have often felt that naming an ugly bridge for veterans does not reflect the depth and value of their sacrifice. It would seem I am not the only one with this opinion.
As a former veteran: Sonar Tech (SS) USS Narwhal SSN 671 and USS Jacksonville SSN 699, I speak against naming UCEB's in honor of vets. It is a dishonor, actually. If you really want to honor a vet by naming a bridge after him (them) then please find a bridge worthy of attention. Like this "Vets Mem. Bridge" in AL: http://bridgehunter.com/al/dale/pea-river/
Lets leave UCEBS for rednecks who want to use them to propose to their future spouses by spray painting their proposal questions on them.
Thanks Matthew. I was hoping that nobody would misconstrue my post as being disrespectful to veterans - just disrespectful to UCEBs.
Also, I was one of the HSBs on this one!
And, for once, the HSB (half star bandit) is actually right!
As a U.S. Marine veteran, I also agree with Anon #1--it's a nice thought, but they could have named a nice looking historic bridge after veterans rather than this ugly thing.
I have to side with the first anonymous here. I fully support the creation of war memorials, and the naming of bridges after war heroes. That being said, I think that this website should be limited to unique and interesting bridges, regardless of whether or not they are war memorials. It is great that this bridge was built as a war memorial, but the bridge itself is a modern UCEB.
The significance of this bridge is that it is a memorial to U.S. veterans.
A bit on the Medal of Honor winner for whom this bridge is named:
This bridge was inspected and closed after the US 51 Hatchie River bridge collapsed in Henning around 1989. The inspection found scouring around the main span piers and extensive concrete spalling on the approach spans. Its not apparent with the summer overgrowth, but there are a few of the south approach spans being held in place with large wooden posts.
Hmmm, what is the significance of this bridge?
I was in the area working and crossed this bridge last week. It is a marvelous old truss. If you want to see it you better go in the next couple of months,because there is a UCEB right next to it,going up fast. It will be another in a long line of trusses destroyed by the state of Tennessee,which is by far the worst state in the union to live in, if you favor historical bridge preservation.
Based on the portal and the build dates it might also be Stringer's Ridge.
I have pics of my grandparents taken in/about the 1920's, standing with friends in front of what I believe is the original, one-tube McCallie Tunnel, viewed from the west side looking east. They lived down Dodds Avenue at the time (where the funeral home is now) with her mother, Ida Kelly. Note the street is still gravel! The right side of the concrete form looks the same, though the top looks different (could have been altered in the addition of the new tube). It looks like the Cherokee Blvd. tunnel, also, but the pic shows much more earth above the tunnel than the Cherokee Blvd. one has, so my guess is they were built around the same time and/or by the same people. I'd appreciate any research on this that anyone would care to do.
BTW, while we're on the subject of bridges, my great-grandfather Joe P. Kelly worked for the Converse Bridge Company in Chattanooga at the time of his death in 1912. They specialized in metal truss bridges.
The Walters Bridge is in its original locataion, but was raised in 1942 due to the construction of the TVA Douglas Dam. Each truss span was lifted by cranes and set aside while conrete extensions were added to the piers. The highway (part of the Dixie Highway) was also realigned from the bridge south through Dutch Bottoms. The river here is the boudary between Jefferson and Cocke counties.
The original bridge was indeed built in 1916. Replacement was anticipated for the construction of the TVA Douglas Dam (1942); however, this bridge did not get built until around 1950. The original bridge continued to be used although normal summer pool level of Douglas Lake would submerge most of the bottom trusses. It has since been removed down to the pier foundations, although the south and north abutments remain.
Just wanted you to know that the Binfield Railroad Overpass was rebuilt and reopened about a year or two ago (maybe late 2010 or early 2011).
Chris
I think this is a luten.
I don't have an exact date, but I suspect that ca.1910-1920 is a likely range.
Do you know what year this bridge was built?
I agree with Fmiser and Nathan. Especially on a structure like this, 109 photos is a good number. One good example is a bridge in Iowa that is being removed in Des Moines. That page contains 149 photos, several of which are mine. The difference is that captions really are needed, especially on a big bridge like this. I would really like to know what the angles are, and I think others would too for if they ever visit the bridge. Either way, nice looking bridge!
Ed Hollowell wrote, "'Shutter Bugs' please be a little bit selective, ok?"
Jayhawk replied, "The internet isn't a book - there's room for 112 photographs of each bridge here. In fact, I wish every bridge on this site was photographed in such detail."
Ed, I agree 109 photos is a lot of photos - but my complaint would be not the _quantity_ of photos but the lack of information about the photos. Of the 109, there is one that has a title or caption. One. That means for the other 108 we are left to guess the intent, subject, and content.
Question I often have are:
Which direction are we facing?
Which section of the bridge is this?
Why this picture? Does it show something that caught your eye?
I can get rather wordy as I fill out the fields because I find that kind of information so very helpful. So I would encourage all contributors to invest a few minutes to provide future visitor with at least some textual clues on the photos.
And I agree with Ed that being selective and not uploading every photo is probably a good plan. However, realize that not every visitor has the same interest or intent - like Jayhawk who said the very photos that bothered Ed were interesting to him. Here again, titles and/or captions could sure be helpful. *smiles*
So many of these old bridges are being removed. Once a bridge is gone, I'd rather have lots of near duplicates photos of a former bridge than just a few.
My opinion is I would rather have too many photos than too few.
Ed,
As someone who does a fair amount of architectural photography, I disagree with you. I did not find any of the photos Calving posted to be extraneous or duplicates.
Photos 96, 95 and 94 are detail shots showing an interesting connection. One of the shots is blurry (it appears that Calvin also increased the ISO in order to increase the shutter speed using a long lens handheld but wasn't quite able to get it high enough), but it is showing an important connection that isn't detailed in any of the other photographs.
The internet isn't a book - there's room for 112 photographs of each bridge here. In fact, I wish every bridge on this site was photographed in such detail.
-Jayhawk
To Calvin Sneed,
I'm not trying to to discourage you from posting photos, but the resources of the forum, as well as the patience of the users might be better served in the future if you picked through your photos and posted a more select collection of them. I understand that there is something to be said for making a full historical photo record but I seem to be looking really hard at some of the photos wondering "why did he think this one was worth posting?" and "is there something unique about this photo that I'm missing?" Finally I found myself wondering "Does he think there is a contest to see how many photos a user can post?" You posted 109 photos of this bridge and I think about 25 of the best of these 109 would have served better and gone much easier for the site servers. Also people are only going to actually look carefully at so many photos. Photos 96, 95 and 94 are all out of focus shots of things you already had better shots of.
I guess this is the result of digital cameras because if anyone had been paying for the film and processing the photos would have been taken more selectively.
You are not the only one post multiple, nearly identical photos on this site, so don't take it personal. 'Shutter Bugs' please be a little bit selective, ok?
I will attempt to get some photos of this next time I am over there. Is a very short drive for me and I have not checked out the Annadel area on the railroad yet.
Alex- Good Catch! It was Southern RR first. The Lease has been renewed many times but the line still belongs to Cincinnati Southern and as an aside it is the line of the "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" song.
In reference to Ed's comment, only a slight error there, the Norfolk and Western was not the NS predecessor to handle this line. It was the NS predecessor Southern Railway that leased the CNO&TP (CS) from the city. The lease expires in 2026.
I was out at the bridge in August and met some construction workers. They were resurfacing the pillars, taking 8 inches of concrete off the pillars and resurfacing. Ironically, the engineer I met said its one of the worst built structures he has worked on in a 30+ year career.
I've included some pictures to supplement the article.
The first is NS 177 entering onto the bridge.
Second is a desktop background I made in Adobe Photoshop a few months ago.
Third is shot directly under the structure.
Fourth is NS 797 crossing the bridge.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives has on file at least four nice imgages from 1941 for this bridge. To view, go to their website
http://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/index.php
and in the search box, I would suggest
+carthage +bridge (no "" and use space after carthage)
This will also pull up an image of the bridge that predates this bridge.
On my way back from Ohio, I drove by th bridge. It is being replaced :(
Seen this bridge in google earth via photos uploaded by users. the bridge is lost most likely a victim of the 2010 flooding.
Looks like a sub-paneled Warren)
I'm not sure of the design of this one. Here is a good view in bing images. http://binged.it/W806X2
Bridge has been put up on the chopping block as a possible hazard by Corps.
My Great Uncle (J.M.) company built this bridge. I have been wanting to see his work; thanks for sharing.
This bridge has been destroyed more than once by mother nature. It crosses the Red River on the Trail of Tears....some locals say it is cursed. It is very close to the Bell Witch Cave too...I walked all the way across this bridge in the summer of 1995. It TOOK A LOT to take this bridge down..from what I understand the flood finished it off. I use to live in Clarksville and really loved this area.
This is the original L&N Railroad bridge across the Tennessee at Knoxville built in 1903. It was planned by the Knoxville Southern. Efforts by the Marietta and North Georgia and the Atlanta, Knoxville and Northern (AK&N) built the bridge. L&N got control of the AK&N and the Knoxville, LaFollette and Jellico to complete the L&N from Louisville to Atlanta using this bridge in 1904. At the same time the L&N's Knoxville Passenger Depot was being built and opened in 1905. Online see Rule's History of Knoxville at http://knoxcotn.org/about-knox-county/31-history/18-history-of-knoxville-chapter-14-transportation?start=6
Here is a photo of this bridge when it was new. It was built by Arthur Dyer and the Nashville Bridge Company about a century ago. The photo is owned by his grandson, A.J. Dyer III.
This is my dream home.
Do you have any images of the stone arch by itself?
Calvin,
The Cincinnati Southern is owned and was built by the city of Cincinnati. It has been leased for a very long time to the Norfolk and Western and its successors. It is currently operated by Norfolk and Western successor Norfolk Southern but if any parts of the line have ever been sold by the city of Cincinnati I would be very interested when where and to whom. There were several heated political campaigns in Cincinnati to decide that they would not sell the railroad.
The info I found from the old Cincinnati Southern records, shows this is the original bridge from 1879.. the bridge supports were strengthened to handle larger coal cars around the turn of the century.
It's possible the pillars were rebuilt and stamped with the later date.
This tunnel is not abandoned...it is simply out of service at present. It could be opened at any time if the local coal mine awards a shipping contract to Norfolk Southern (CSX currently has the contract).
I have lived 0ver 48 yrs near this bridge and see it every day. it has bese on of the most frustratung things to see this bridge traated like a piece of junk , just today fdrove to HALETOEM LOOK LIKE DRIDGE IS ABOUT ATH DESTROYED WJHY HAS THE TRUTH NEVER BEEN TOLD OPN THIS HISTORIC BRIDGE, IT IS STOMACH TURNING THE WAY THIS BRIDGRE HAS BEEN TREATED, SHAME ON OUR OFFICIALS AND TDOT ANMD BRIDGE BUILDER FOR JUNKING HISTORY OPF hALETOWN AND SHOWING DISRESPECT TO OUR VETS SHAME ON YOU ALL.
JACKWOOTEN THIS WAE SHORT COLULD OF SAID MORE MUCH MORE ON THIS SUBJECT. jackwooten37@yahoo.com
There is a good view of this bridge in Birds eye also, I could not find the creek name.
There is a good view of this bridge in birds eye. I'm not sure of the design, some help would be awesome. Thanks.
In the Engineering Record of August 30, 1913, page 244, Vol. 28, N°9, was published a short article, illustrated with a photograph, on this bridge. Here is a complete copy ot this article: "The Cumberland River Bridge of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad is approximately 3000 ft. long. including a viaduct approach at each end, one 300' and three 200' throughtruss river spans and three 135' deck truss spans, all of which have riveted connections except the pin connected 300' span . The substructure is enterely of concrete, of which there about 1700 yd. which were built in cofferdams of interlocking steel sheet piling, under an average head of about 16' of water. All foundations were carried down to bed rock to a depth of 130' below base of rail. In three of the cofferdams considerabme difficulty was experienced from encountering open conduits leading to the city waterwork pumping station, close to one end of the bridge. The concrete was mixed in a plant on each bank of the river and was carried by hauling engines to the different piers. All of the truss spans are erected on falsework built with an overhead traveling stiffleg derrick. It is expected that the erection will be completed this fall. The steel superstructure was fabricated by the American Bridge C° and erected by the Foster-Creighton-Gould C°, of Nashville, Tenn., wich has also constructed the substructure ."
The bridge is a Pratt Bedstead. It was built by the Champion Bridge Company at an unknown date but estimated to be about 1910. There were extensive repairs made to the bridge about 1950. It was closed to traffic in 2006. The May 2010 flood further damaged the bridge. The road is gated north of the bridge, and to access it from the north requires permission from a property owner.
In about 1953-54, I was in the Bristol Tennessee High School Viking Band. Several of us band members played at the bridge dedication. I'm not real positive on the years. The dedication took place in a large open area on the bridges south side. When it was dedicated, the local American Legion chapter was in full attendance and it was dubbed the "American Legion Memorial Bridge". I have also heard it referred to as the Veterans Bridge, Highway 421 Bridge, South Holston Bridge and probably a few others I can't remember. The name, "American Legion Memorial Bridge", has always stuck in my mind as the proper name. At one time, there was a plague located near the north approach to the bridge but I cannot remember the inscription on it or when it was placed.
Memphis has just been awarded a $14.9M Federal grant to build a pedestrian walkway on one of the former road decks of this bridge. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jun/19/memphis-gets-grant-build-pathway-across-harahan-br/
The website for the project is: http://www.harahanbridgeproject.com/
this bridge still stands i think. in bad shape. it was not built in the 70's. i don't believe because i believe it was there when i was there as a kid and i'm in my 60's. it is where the guy said it is by the antique shop. i'm sure alot of people have a picture of this.
I want it
Being a resident, I can tell you some of the beauty of this bridge. Driving across it in the morning, most times, there's a wall of fog you must break through to get to Rogersville. It's clear in the valley, but from the river to town its fog, rain or shine.
I always loved the view of this bridge from 11W, going toward R'ville at about Marble Hall Road (looking upriver at a bridge in the distance).
And then there's this:
My brother drowned under the Hugh B. Day bridge 20 yrs ago, they found him just upstream from Melinda Ferry Bridge. His widow's name was Melinda. I always think of him when I cross it.
I, and many others, are connected to it.
Bridges are like songs, they bring forth memories; good and bad... mostly good.
Thanks for reading.
If you live in that area it might be worth checking into...the bridge might still be intact but just closed off.
Apparently, this bridge is now gone. Signs at each end of the road say, "Bridge Out -- Local Traffic Only"
Well, I saw it for the first time in 1975, so it's almost 40 at the very least. It looks like just a bunch of welded angle iron. My guess would be 1960's-70's, but it's just a guess.
I cannot tell what the age of the bridge is. If it is riveted, it is noteworthy. Are there rivets? If it is welded, and is pre-1940, its noteworthy.
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