The bridge is currently closed.
There are photos from September 2017 here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Swartz+Bridge/@40.7706128,...
yes the name is on the bridge and the year it was built
Glad you found the atlas information interesting.
Since you've visited the area, did you notice the bridge just to the northwest of this bridge over Broken Sword Creek?
Just curious because it has not been added to Bridgehunter yet.
Bing appears to show a polygonal warren with alternating verticals and NBI shows a build date of 1978 for a steel truss with wood deck. I'm thinking 1978 might be a rehab date.
That bridge also appears to have been close to a Jacob Swartz' property.
I'm a direct descendant of Abraham Swartz. He was my great, great, great grandfather. The land that is noted as Henry Schwartz is now a part of the family farm (still owned by Swartz, no C) the spelling of Henry's name may indeed be a misprint.
I have not heard of a Henry in the family, but this could be one of Abraham's brothers.
The last Swartz's to live on the farm were my great grandparents, Ira and Luella Swartz. There is no longer a house there, but the land is still farmed.
The bridge is beautiful and the scenery surrounding is very bucolic.
I was surprised to see an additional parcel belonging to Abraham south of the bridge. I do not believe this is still in the family.
Here's just such an atlas from 1879. Several landowners with the last name Swartz in the area, and Henry Schwartz appears to be the adjacent landowner. A misprint?
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/21823/Antrim++Edenvil...
Thank you!
Karen, the names given on these old bridges are often historic names associated with the landowner when the structure was erected. This can usually be confirmed by checking info on historic maps, plot books or old deeds at the county courthouse if they are still available. Commissioner minute books from when the bridge was built might also mention this person. Most of the bridges on this site likely had an historic name associated with them, but many have just been "misplaced" over the years.
The other common things you will see are ones named after mills or fords that the bridge replaced (again, a ford name is often taking from the landowner). And of course ones that are named after towns they served... Some still existing and others that are just a memory.
Does anyone know the history of this bridge? Why does it have the name Swartz on it?
Is it haunted?
If so, what's the story?