Harris Street Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harris Street Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 41°54′20.27″N 71°4′9.63″W / 41.9056306°N 71.0693417°W |
| Carries | water main |
| Crosses | Taunton River |
| Locale | Taunton, Massachusetts |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | pin-connected through Pratt truss |
| Material | wrought iron |
| Total length | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Width | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Height | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| History | |
| Architect | Pembridge Company |
| Constructed by | Pennsylvania Bridge Company |
| Construction end | 1887 |
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Harris Street Bridge
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| Location | Off Dean Street, Taunton, Massachusetts |
| Built | 1887 |
| MPS | Taunton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002123 |
| Added to NRHP | July 5, 1984 |
The Harris Street Bridge is a historic bridge located in Taunton, Massachusetts. It was built in 1887, making it the oldest bridge still standing in the city. This bridge was an important part of Taunton's early public works projects. It crosses over the Taunton River and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today, the bridge is closed to cars and people, and it needs some repairs. However, it still serves its main purpose by carrying a vital water pipe.
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What is the Harris Street Bridge?
The Harris Street Bridge is found in eastern Taunton, near where Dean Street (United States Route 44) and River Street meet. Dean Street runs alongside the Taunton River. When the bridge was first built in 1887, it connected to Harris Street. This street now ends on the south side of the river.
Bridge Design and Materials
The Harris Street Bridge is a special type of bridge called a truss bridge. A truss bridge uses a framework of connected triangles to make it strong. This bridge uses a design known as a Pratt truss. This design is made of strong pieces of wrought iron that are connected together with pins.
The bridge has one main section, or "span." It is about 100 feet (30 m) long. It is also about 35 feet (11 m) wide and 35 feet (11 m) tall. The main part of the bridge that crosses the river is about 95 feet (29 m) long.
Why Was This Bridge Built?
The Pennsylvania Bridge Company built the Harris Street Bridge in 1887. This company built only one other known bridge in Massachusetts. The main reason for building this bridge was to carry a large water main. A water main is a big pipe that carries water. This pipe brought water from the nearby Harris Street Pumping Station to the center of Taunton. The bridge also served as a way for cars and people to cross the river.
The Bridge Today
For many years, the Harris Street Bridge has been closed to both cars and people. Its top surface, called the deck, and its side railings are in bad condition. Even though it's not used for traffic anymore, the bridge still performs its most important job. It continues to carry the water pipe safely over the Taunton River, bringing water to the city.
