NRHP Reference # 98000484 Opened 1876 Body of water Skunk River | Built 1876 Address Ames, IA 50010, USA Phone +1 641-260-1262 Added to NRHP 15 May 1998 | |
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Architect King Bridge Co. of Cleveland, Ohio Architectural style Pinned Warren through truss span Similar Lost Island Water Park, Adventureland, Riverview Park, Dodge Park Playland, Blank Park Zoo | ||
Skunk river bridge hunting 2013
The Skunk River Bridge is a Warren truss bridge that crosses Skunk River near Ames, Iowa in Story County, Iowa. It was built in 1876, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
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Skunk river bridge construction 2011
Description
In 1876, Story County Supervisors contracted with King Iron Bridge Company to build 3 steel truss bridges, the longest of which would cross the Skunk River, just east of Cambridge, Iowa. The Cambridge bridge had an 80 feet (24 m) truss, and its 3 spans had a combined length of 163 feet (50 m). This bridge was used frequently, and underwent occasional repairs. By 1916, it was no longer sufficient to handle the traffic on its road. It was subsequently replaced and moved to its present location, southeast of Ames, Iowa. The bridge was used lightly until 1990, when the road it was on was abandoned. It is still standing, but has fallen into a state of disrepair.
This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It was one of only a few Warren truss iron bridges built in Iowa in the late 1800s, and was an important transportation resource during a time of great growth in Story County.