The Turtleville Iron Bridge carries Lather Road 140 feet, from
abutment face to abutment face, across Turtle Creek. It was built
in 1887 by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, and is a Pratt
through-truss with pin connections and bottom chord eye-bars. The
wooden flooring, covered with an asphalt road bed, is supported by
riveted stringers and floor beams. Triangular nameplates are
affixed atop each portal. Metallographic examination of three
specimens from a post, a counter rod, and a hip vertical, conducted
by the Beloit Foundry Company, revealed a typical microstructure of
true wrought iron and iron silicate slag. In 1981 the bridge was in
fair condition, covered with a layer of oxidation. It has since
been scheduled for demolition. The Wisconsin Bridge and Iron
Company was founded in 1870 under the name 'Weinhagen Brothers,
Engineers.' Its name was changed in 1880.
Written by Jean P. Yearby (1984) from research by George Danko
(1977)
Note: The wooden flooring has been replaced with a metal grate deck
which really clatters and bangs when a car crosses the on the
bridge. Neato...
Here's a picture of one of the triangular nameplates which are
affixed atop the bridge portals. The bridge gets ya coming or
going.
........................................
Available parking: There is room for one or maybe two small cars
to park on the north side of Turtle Creek along the road but please
park well away from the bridge to give traffic ample room for
maneuvering. Thanks and have fun...(No Skinny Dippin')
*** Congrats to Team Yates 73 for the FTF ***
I am a proud |
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