The War Eagle Bridge is a historic bridge in War Eagle, Arkansas, United States, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

War Eagle Bridge
War Eagle Bridge and mill, 1988
War Eagle Bridge is located in Arkansas
War Eagle Bridge
Location in Arkansas
War Eagle Bridge is located in the United States
War Eagle Bridge
Location in United States
LocationWar Eagle, Arkansas, 11045 War Eagle Mill Road (CR 98) off AR 12
Coordinates36°16′3″N 93°56′36″W / 36.26750°N 93.94333°W / 36.26750; -93.94333
Arealess than one acre
Built1907
Built byIllinois Steel Bridge Co.
Architectural styleParker through truss
NRHP reference No.85003497[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 19, 1985

Description

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The one-lane steel truss bridge is located on War Eagle Road (County Road 98), passing over the War Eagle Creek. It was built in 1907 and adjoins the War Eagle Mill.

The construction plans and drawings, contract, and correspondence are available at the Benton County Courthouse.[2]

 
The War Eagle Bridge, April 2013

History

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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 (equivalent to $1,566,003 in 2023). 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 (55 m), and an approach of 40 feet (12 m) 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 bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 19, 1985.[3][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "NRHP Nomination" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Explore Southern History - War Eagle Mill and Bridge - Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved November 12, 2009.

Further reading

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