View Of Elevation, Looking North
The diagonal deck slats are attached on only one end, each other board to the opposite end. This caused the boards to create an odd noise when vehicles crossed, which is how it became known as, "The Rumbly Bridge."
It is has been closed to vehicular traffic since 1981.
Photo taken by Martin Stupich, June 25, 1987 for HAER
View photos at Library of Congress
BH Photo #119723
Leinie's is right across the road from the entrance to Irving Park. You better get there and take a tour - after you've walked the Rumbly Bridge, of course.
Indiana Bridge Company had a truss type similar to this. They referred to it as a "Lattice Girder". I am guessing that the reason behind the open-webbing was to reduce the weight of the structure. Weather it be a truss or a girder, it is nonetheless a unique structure.
And by the way J.R.. as a member of the Leinie Lodge I must emphatically say..........Long Live Leinenkugel's!
The official name is the Bridge of Pines but it picked up the popular moniker from the noise the loose planking made when driving across it. (The deck planks were only attached on one end to allow for expansion and contraction of the planks. Every other board was attached on one side of the bridge, the others were attached on the opposite side of the bridge. The odd noise made by the dancing planks was the namesake.)
The bridge is a thing of legend and is a source of great pride to local residents. A few years ago, when there was some talk of taking it down, the public outcry was immediate and loud. The "scenic drive" that crossed the Rumbly Bridge was rerouted and the bridge remains in place.
Chippewa Falls' most famous son, Seymour Cray, now has a boulevard named after him, the Leinenkugel Brewery is still operated by the Leinenkugel family (even though it's owned by Miller) but Irving Park has the Rumbly Bridge!
Even if I didn't already love old bridges I would have to love one called "Rumbly Bridge".
Yeah J.R.........that looks like a pretty good distance to the ground!