Hoblett Bottom Bridge

There were a couple of through trusses over the Blackwater that are now UCEBs. I don't recall a Monkey Mountain in Johnson County. There is such a place east of Grain Valley in Jackson, probably farther than students would want to drive just to hang out. Talking with a local when I visited Hobblet Bottom he spoke of a through truss near there but thought it was abandoned long ago. I have not found a location such as he described.

This is the sort of thing I enjoy exploring.

Monkey Mountain was apparently north of Warrensburg.

Here's a bridge that was poular with students, then removed in 2013:

http://bridgehunter.com/mo/johnson/blackwater-13

Okay all - I need your help. While I know my bridges in my local area I am trying to remember one in particular from my college days in Warrensburg and a popular party spot. This would have been back in the late eighties and early nineties.

We called the area Monkey Mountain. That is all I can recall about it. The supposed story was someone got killed by a circus monkey in the area. I know it's a long shot but I've got to see what is left of the site - 30 years later.

Thanks for the help.

Todd

In the link that Clark V. provided, Standard moved another bridge in 1929. While I have had difficulty opening all of the files, I suspect this bridge was moved in 1929 rather than built then - I thought rivet connections were standard by then.

Regards,

Art S.

Well if anything, I can put out a notice on this bridge in my Chronicles' page. Any history on this bridge?

I was finally able to visit this bridge on Jan. 27. It is a spectacular structure, but the dangling south end is certainly scary.

Like Dave C., I didn't attempt to cross the board to reach the bridge deck. The board is no longer anchored to anything, and the end is several feet off the ground. Clark Vance's photos showed tree branches that could be used to get a leg-up to reach the board, but those branches are now gone.

Seeing as how bridges in Johnson County are dropping like flies, it's hard to say whether this bridge has a future or not. Anybody need a 200-ft truss?

Jan 19, 2013. Still up and "looking good." Didn't walk on it because it was too dangerous to get on the access plank (south end). A great photo op.

It's an unusual metal floor so I can see why it was "Tin Bottom". Did you ever hear the Hoblett name used?

Hello, my aunt and uncle have a farm up the road from this bridge I played on it around it anyway we all know this bridge as Tin Bottom.

According to the MO historic bridge inventory, 1929 is correct and pretty well documented. This is a late Standard build.

http://epg.modot.mo.gov/documents/Historic_Bridge_Inventory/...

You can find it easily in the pdf bookmarks. They call it the Blackwater River Bridge.

I got the name Hoblett Bottom from a local I talked with. He looked over my map and gave me a couple of names for bridges in the area. He didn't know how to spell the name so I looked for families with similar names in the area.

I was looking at the other spans credited to the Standard Bridge Company which all date between 1908 and 1914. The 2 exceptions are this bridge and another demolished one that was in this same county. They are both pin-connected structures with a 1929 build date listed. I will assume that this is some sort of default date as both appear to be somewhat older.

The metal plates on the deck have rivets that have cone-shaped heads. This makes me suspect the plate is salvaged and reused boiler plate.

Some pros for summer bridgehunting: The truck can get through bad roads, light clothes, safe climbing. Cons: Sweat, ticks, spider webs, leaves.

This was a surprisingly large bridge. The county road map (2005) still shows the road crossing, so I assume the road is still public. The road is just graveled ruts but it is suitable for most cars clear up to the bridge on the south. I didn't walk the north side but it looked a lot more overgrown.

Just bought my second Lumix camera.......they are like my children!

Tell me about it. I just wiped out my nice Fuji with image stabilization in December. But I have a track record of wiping out a camera every year or two, because of the things I do in my spare time.

RKT

Jason..........Sorry but I posted a picture of the High Banks Bridge in Delaware County, Indiana on this bridges' page.

But in all fairness, it was totally J.R.s fault for doubting my willingness to brave the elements to visit a bridge.

I have visited historic bridges on my wedding anniversary!......what could possibly be more dangerous than that!!

Anyway......The High Banks Bridge was disassembled, restored, and reassembled in 2009. You can check it out here.......

http://bridgehunter.com/in/delaware/white-300s/

Say, after taking a look at the photo of the bridge being dismantled, has anyone heard whether this bridge is being restored for reuse or is it being removed completely? It looks like someone does have the heart to take the bridge and relocate it, but not before having restored.

This logic sounds similar to my policy that states:

"No deck" is no excuse for not walking on the bridge!

You're right, my friend.

Skin grows back. Bones heal. Pants and jackets can be stitched.

Sheet metal has to be straightened then painted, and both camera bodies and glass are expensive.

Not to mention, it's tough to get tack sharp pics with cracked glass so you'd have to go back later. Sacrifice the body and save the equipment!

I applaud that motto too. The more "dedicated bridge lovers" the better.

I agree with your motto Anthony!

Never said I was faint of heart J.R.!!

I fell on my A** like 3 times getting pics of High Banks being dismantled! The road had been ripped out and there was ice everywhere......could have used some skates.

My motto is "sacrifice the body.....save the camera"

My first "bridge hunt" was in 15* weather. Sure, it was cold! I had been to the bridge before and knew that during warmer weather it was so over grown that shooting it would be more difficult.

http://bridgehunter.com/mo/st-charles/bh39088/

But I like to eagle watch along the Mississippi River flyway too. Last Saturday the temps were in the single digits and the river was jammed with ice.

I do agree that you have to dress warm and take care of your camera.

Wusses.

http://bridgehunter.com/wi/fond-du-lac/P20072000000000/

:-p~

Winter bridgehunting is NOT for the faint of heart.....that's for sure!!

I was flying my private jet down to the bridge when my alarm went off and I woke up :)

I have never been a fan of documenting bridges in the winter, despite the lack of foliage obstruction. It doesn't make up for the physical misery of winter, from short battery life and numb fingers to poor road conditions.

Great idea Nathan - now which one of us has the most lenient supervisor?

In all seriousness, I was hoping to do some bridgehunting over the holidays, but 15 inches of snow killed those plans might fast!

Quit talking and start walking: visit this bridge and report back here with photos on the double!

I agree James, it looks like the bridge is still there. The road to the Southeast appears to be extant, but the road to the Northwest either runs along the river and is hidden in the trees or has been plowed under.

Now that you mention it, I do see something on the Google satellite view, so perhaps the bridge is still standing. The Missouri historic bridge list suggests the bridge was "destroyed" in 1997, but that obviously can't be right. If still standing, this is a real gem. The Missouri Historic Bridge Inventory (1996) said, "It is among the longest and best-preserved trusses in Missouri: an important example of a now-uncommon structural type."

Has this bridge been confirmed to be lost? It was still there in 2002, although it had been abandoned for several years.