Wabash Des Moines River Bridge

I'm the one who added it to the entry, I'll be the one to delete it. If it's bad info, it's bad info.

We should also send multiple emails to the Iowa State DOT Historic Bridges page to get a new, more factual write-up posted over there instead of the FraserDesign quip.

I was able to contact the Iowa Historical Society, who gave me a site inventory file on this bridge. The file states that the outer two spans came from Attica, Indiana and were part of the four spans that survived the derailment in 1914. I found the Attica bridge was built 1891, and photos confirm these are certainly the same spans. The center span came from the "Half Acre" bridge in Christian County, Illinois and was built 1888. Photos also confirm this span is indeed from there. The approach was built 1943. This information comes from railroad blueprints.

I am on the fence about deleting Fraser's report on this bridge from this entry. To be quite blunt, the report is full of information that is simply not correct, such as when the bridge was built, when the county acquired the bridge and the lack of alterations to the bridge. I believe this report is entirely misleading of the true nature of this bridge.

It's always good to get new information! This data is from a late Wabash-era (or very early N&W-era) bridge book...compare the data regarding the East Approach with the data recorded in the other bridge ledger. The entry will be updated shortly.

Interestingly, either the Wabash and/or the Norfolk & Western dumped some system boxcars along the river bank northwest of the bridge, for bank stabilization purposes. The remains of the cars can still be seen today, especially at times of low water.

Well, this muddies the waters somewhat. Check the dates for Bridge #2891. Some spans were erected in the 1920's, while one of the approach spans dates from the 1890's. The questions about this bridge may never be answered.

I am confused about the claim that this bridge was converted for vehicular use in 1951. What bridge did the Wabash RR use to cross the river between the years 1951 and 1968, when the Red Rock Dam project was finally completed?

The Wabash Railroad Bridges & Buildings book for the Western Division, dated 1902, lists the bridge being constructed in 1890, not 1880. With that being said, however, Bridge #2891, as this bridge was officially known on the Wabash, was listed as having only ONE span of 126' length! The bridge is listed as being a Howe Truss bridge. Off to the side, in the Remarks section, is listed the date 1905, with no other remarks other than that. Well, obviously we know there is more than one span to this bridge, so does the "1905" notation mean that the railroad built a new bridge (the current one) in that year? Another RR document I have lists Bridge #2891 as having two 153' and one 150' Thru Truss spans. That document is from 1964. James Holzmeier, Wabash Railroad Historical Society

Apparently James Oliver had a foundry and did some structural iron and steel work before and during the time he developed the chill-hardening process for plows. His factories were in Indiana. His company later merged with 3 other ag related businesses to become Oliver Tractor in Charles City, Iowa.

David, George, and Henry were all involved with the Oliver Iron and Steel Company. Here is a historical article: http://books.google.com/books?id=NmZMAAAAYAAJ&dq=Oliver%20ir...

It states that Oliver Iron and Steel Company was formed in 1888... which is after the construction date given for this bridge. So either the construction date is wrong, or these brands may refer to the previous company they ran called Oliver Brothers & Phillips.

Oliver brands are very rare, but I have found them in both the US and Canada. I assume they all refer to the Pittsburgh company.

Oliver Iron & steel?

Perhaps Henry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_W._Oliver

Or, maybe less likely, James

http://centerforhistory.org/learn-history/oliver-history

Hmmmm....

An 1875 plat map shows roads approaching the river from both sides and "Durham's Ferry" at the crossing.

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/471090/Township+76+No...

In 1901, this bridge is there, but roads still approach the bridge.

http://www.beforetime.net/iowagenealogy/marion/platmap1901/P...

This bridge was built in 1880; perhaps the old wood pilings were for a Durham's Ferry Bridge that carried the road before this bridge was built.

If so, it's amazing that they are still visible.

Just to the west of this bridge before the new T17 bridge, there is a sunken sidewheel steamboat on the south side of the Des Moines River. It rests on a sandbar and is visible when the river level is low. I am searching for information about this steamboat and would love to hear back from anyone who can tell me about it. There are many fantastic books that contain information about water travel on the Des Moines River in the mid 1800's. I have learned that keel boats, flat boats, and steamboats all traveled through Marion County. This particular boat has to have a story behind it, and so many people are interested in hearing it.

I grew up within miles of this bridge, and some of the adjacent land has been owned by may family for generations. This picture caught me off guard, as I didn't know anyone had done so much research on the bridge. I'm happy to see it on the internet, and even more happy they chose to leave the bridge standing as a pedestrian and fishing bridge instead of destroying it when the new bridge was built a few years ago. A lot of memories here...

Thanks!