Truesdell truss
View Exhibit mapLucius E. Truesdell patented a cast iron and wrought iron truss design in 1859. The main point of his patent was in how the diagonals in a lattice-type are fastened together. Truesdell felt the holes through the truss members necessary for fastening them together caused an unacceptable weakness. His solution was to have the overlapping diagonals bent at the intersection so the two pieces would interlock. A cast iron clamp holds the diagonal together. His design was awarded patent number 24068.
In appearance, the Truesdell truss looks like a triple-intersecting warren with verticals.
Canal Street Bridge (Hartford County, Connecticut)
A Truesdell patent bridge in the Collins Axe Company yard in CollinsvilleReplaced by a new bridge
Dixon Truesdell Bridge (Lee County, Illinois)
Built in 1869, collapsed 1873 May 4 during a baptism in the river. Spectators were on the bridge when it collapsed, killing about 45 people.Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Rock RiverCollapsed in 1873
Elkader Truesdell Bridge (Clayton County, Iowa)
Built 1870; Replaced 1889Lost Truesdell Truss bridge over Turkey River on RoadReplaced by a new bridge
Elm Street Bridge (1858) (Cheshire County, New Hampshire)
Built 1858Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Ashuelot River on Elm Street in Winchester.Replaced by a new bridge
Great Bridge (1868) (Berkshire County, Massachusetts)
Opened in October of 1868, replaced in 1884Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Housatonic River on State St.No longer exists
Haydenville Upper Bridge (Hampshire County, Massachusetts)
Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Mill River on S Main Street in Haydenville.No longer exists
Iron Bridge (Kane County, Illinois)
Built in 1866, collapsed under cattle in 1867, collapsed under a crowd July 4, 1869, lost to ice April 19, 1881Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Fox River on Chicago StreetNo longer exists
Kinzie Street Bridge (Cook County, Illinois)
Built 1860sLost Truesdell pony truss bridge on Kinzie StreetNo longer exists
Kishwaukee River Bridge (Boone County, Illinois)
built in the 1860sLost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Kishwaukee River No longer exists
Main Street Bridge (1870) (Floyd County, Iowa)
Built 1870; Re-decked 1882; Condemned 1892 but not replaced until 1909.Lost Truesdell through truss bridge over Cedar River on Main Street in Charles City.Replaced by a new bridge
Mulberry Street Bridge (Hampshire County, Massachusetts)
Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Mill River on Mulberry Street in Leeds.Replaced by a new bridge
Mystic River Swing Bridge (1866) (New London County, Connecticut)
Built 1866; Replaced 1904Lost Truesdell truss bridge over Mystic River on West Main Street in MysticReplaced by a new bridge
North Wells Viaduct (Cook County, Illinois)
Built in 1862 lost in the fire of 1871Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge on North WellsNo longer exists
Pecatonica Bridge (Winnebago County, Illinois)
built in the 1860s, replaced in 1877Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Pecatonica River on Pecatonica Road / Main StreetNo longer exists
Potic Mountain Bridge (Greene County, New York)
Truesdell pony truss bridge over Potic Creek on High Hill RoadI'm assuming its long gone, but haven't confirmed
Spring Street Bridge (Tolland County, Connecticut)
Built 1863; probably lasted until 1912 replacement.Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Middle River on Spring Street in Stafford SpringsReplaced by a new bridge
State Street Bridge (Kane County, Illinois)
built in the 1860sLost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Fox River on State St.No longer exists
Tilton Island Park Bridge (Belknap County, New Hampshire)
Built 1881Truesdell pony truss bridge over Winnipesautee River on Pedestrian TrailOpen to pedestrians
Trumbull Street Footbridge (1864) (Hartford County, Connecticut)
Built 1864; replaced 1915Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over Park River on Footpath to Bushnell Park in Hartford.Replaced by a new bridge
Wigwam Hollow Bridge (old) (McDonough County, Illinois)
Lost Truesdell pony truss bridge over La Moine River on Wigwam Hollow RoadNo longer exists