Motley Slough Bridge facts for kids
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Motley Slough Bridge
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Built | 1920 |
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| Architectural style | Pratt pony truss |
| MPS | Historic Bridges of Mississippi TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002405 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 16, 1988 |
The Motley Slough Bridge is a special old bridge in Lowndes County, Mississippi. It was built in 1920 and is made of iron. This bridge is important because it's listed as a "Mississippi Landmark" and is also on the "U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
This means it's recognized as a significant historical site both in Mississippi and across the United States. It's a great example of how bridges were built a long time ago.
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What Makes This Bridge Special?
The Motley Slough Bridge is a "Pratt pony truss" bridge. This might sound complicated, but it's actually pretty cool!
Understanding a Truss Bridge
A "truss" is like a strong framework, often made of triangles. These triangles help make the bridge very strong and able to hold a lot of weight. They spread out the forces, so the bridge doesn't collapse.
What is a Pratt Pony Truss?
The "Pratt" part refers to a specific design of the truss, using diagonal and vertical beams in a certain pattern. The "pony" part means the truss framework is not very tall. It doesn't have a top structure that goes over the road. Instead, the sides of the truss are just a bit taller than the bridge deck.
This design was very popular for bridges built in the early 1900s. The Motley Slough Bridge is a single-span bridge, meaning it crosses the water in one continuous section without any supports in the middle.
Where is the Motley Slough Bridge?
You can find the Motley Slough Bridge in Lowndes County, Mississippi. It's located about a quarter-mile southwest of US Route 45. The bridge is on a road called Shaeffers Chapel Road.
The Motley Slough Dragon
On the eastern side of the bridge, there's a fun local landmark called the "Motley Slough Dragon." It's a unique feature that watches over the bridge's approach.
Recently, there have been some changes to US Route 45 nearby. This construction has involved moving parts of Shaeffers Chapel Road, but the historic bridge remains an important local landmark.
Learning More About the Bridge
If you want to learn even more about the Motley Slough Bridge, you can check out the MDA&H Historic Resources Fact Sheet. This sheet has details from when the bridge was first nominated as a historic location.
- MDA&H Historic Resources Fact Sheet
