War Eagle Bridge

War Eagle Bridge

War Eagle Bridge and mill in 1988
Location War Eagle, Arkansas, 11045 War Eagle Mill Road (CR 98) off AR 12
Coordinates 36°16′3″N 93°56′36″W / 36.26750°N 93.94333°W / 36.26750; -93.94333Coordinates: 36°16′3″N 93°56′36″W / 36.26750°N 93.94333°W / 36.26750; -93.94333
Area less than one acre
Built 1907
Built by Illinois Steel Bridge Co.
Architectural style Parker through truss, Other
NRHP Reference # 85003497[1]
Added to NRHP November 19, 1985

The War Eagle Bridge, a one lane steel bridge built in 1907, adjoins the War Eagle Mill, and carries County Route 98 over War Eagle Creek in Benton County, Arkansas. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 19, 1985.[2][3]

Bridge history

Looking upstream

The bridge occupies the site of a ford that has been used since the 1830s. Sylvanus Blackburn built a two story log house near the west side and a mill on the east side of the ford in 1832. By the early twentieth century the mill was producing 40 barrels of flour per day, creating a need for better access to local markets.

The bridge was constructed in 1907 by the Illinois Steel Bridge Company of Jacksonville, Illinois for a contracted amount of $4,790. It is the only Parker truss bridge in northwest Arkansas, and one of only seventeen steel truss bridges in the state. It has a span of 182 feet, and an approach of 40 feet on the east side of the bridge. The stone range work pier and abutment on the eastern end and wooden planking for the bridge flooring were provided locally. The stone pier and abutment were replaced with a concrete structure in 1982.

The construction plans and drawings, contract, and correspondence are available at the Benton County Courthouse.[3]

See also

References

  1. National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. Explore Southern History - War Eagle Mill and Bridge - Northwest Arkansas
  3. 1 2 NRHP Nomination

Further reading

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