Powell Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Powell Bridge |
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Powell Bridge
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| Coordinates | 36°36′58″N 94°10′56″W / 36.61611°N 94.18222°W |
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Powell Bridge
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 Powell Bridge
Location in Missouri
Powell Bridge
Location in the United States
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| Location | 0.4 miles (0.64 km) southwest of Powell on Cowan Ridge Rd. off Highway E, near Powell, Missouri |
| Built | 1914-1915 |
| Architect | East St. Louis Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000215 |
| Added to NRHP | April 20, 2011 |
| Carries | Single lane |
| Crosses | Big Sugar Creek |
| Locale | Powell, Missouri |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge |
| Total length | 210 feet (64 m) |
| Width | 12 feet (4 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | East St. Louis Bridge Co. |
| Construction begin | 1914 |
| Opened | 1915 |
| Closed | To auto traffic 2014 |
The Powell Bridge is a special old bridge in McDonald County, Missouri. It crosses Big Sugar Creek near a small town called Powell, Missouri, in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. This bridge is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The East St. Louis Bridge Co. built it, and it opened on August 16, 1915. For many years, cars and wagons used its single lane. In 2015, a new, wider bridge was built next to it. Now, the old Powell Bridge is owned by the Powell Historic Preservation Society. It's one of only three places in McDonald County on the National Register of Historic Places. Another famous spot is the Old McDonald County Courthouse. The town of Powell is also known as the home of Albert E. Brumley, a famous gospel songwriter.
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What Makes the Powell Bridge Special?
The Powell Bridge is a type of bridge called a "pin-connected Pratt through truss." It's made of strong wrought iron. The main part of the bridge is about 140 feet long. It also has a smaller "pony truss" section that's about 70 feet long. This makes the whole bridge over 210 feet long!
How the Bridge is Built
The bridge was designed to be 12 feet wide. It has strong concrete supports called abutments and a pier. These are reinforced with steel. The bridge deck, where you walk or drive, is made of timber (wood) over steel beams.
There are two main parts to its design:
- Through Truss: This is the main part where traffic goes through the bridge's framework. The top and bottom of this section are connected with strong cross-braces.
- Pony Truss: This part has parallel sides that are not connected at the top. Traffic still goes through it.
The Powell Bridge is one of only two bridges like this ever built in McDonald County. The other one, in Anderson, Missouri, was taken down.
A Look Back: History of the Powell Bridge
Before the bridge was built, people crossed Big Sugar Creek at a shallow spot called the Bentonville Hollow Ford. But when the water was high, it was impossible to cross. This made travel very difficult for the people living in Powell.
Getting the Bridge Built
In June 1913, a local resident named R.H. Buck asked the county court for a bridge. The court agreed and asked W. Mose Lett, the county surveyor and an engineer, to find a good spot. He also had to draw up the plans and ask companies to bid on the project.
Two companies won the bids:
- The East St. Louis Bridge Co. built the main metal structure for $2,240.
- Fred L. Appleby of Kansas City built the concrete supports for $1,290.
After adding costs for wood and grading the land, the total price for the Powell Bridge was $4,000. This was all the money the county had for the project!
Building the Bridge
Construction took about a year, from 1914 to 1915. Appleby built the large concrete pier and abutments. Engineer Lett was there to make sure everything was done correctly. Local people helped with the work, and materials were found nearby. Sycamore logs were cut and brought by horse and wagon to be used for scaffolding. A local man named Mr. Cowan even donated some of the logs! Once finished, the bridge made it much easier to cross the creek. It helped the Powell community grow for many years.
A New Bridge for Modern Times
When the Powell Bridge was first built, people mostly used buggies, wagons, horses, and walked across it. But over nearly a hundred years, transportation changed a lot. Even though the bridge was still in good shape, it was only one lane. It couldn't handle large farm equipment or the heavy trucks and emergency vehicles we have today. The bridge even had a sign saying it could only hold 3 tons (about 6,000 pounds).
Saving the Old Bridge
Because of these changes, there was a plan to tear down the Powell Bridge. But a group of local residents didn't want to lose this historic landmark. They formed a non-profit group and asked the county to save it. Their efforts worked! The county built a brand new, wider bridge right next to the old one. The old Powell Bridge was then given to the Powell Historical Preservation Society. They plan to turn it into a bridge just for people to walk on.
Keeping the Bridge Alive: Preservation Efforts
Since taking ownership in April 2014, the Powell Historical Preservation Society has been working hard to restore and care for the bridge. They have replaced damaged wooden parts of the deck. They are also adding new features to make it more enjoyable for walkers. Future plans include adding benches, flower planters, and making sure it's safe for children.
