National Register of Historic Places

Bollman, W., and Company Bridge

Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pennsylvania

Listed

November 8, 1978

Type

Structure

Period

Industrial

Ref No.

78002471

About this property

The Wills Creek Bollman Bridge originally served the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Pittsburgh Division main line. Designed by the self-taught civil engineer Wendel Bollman in 1871, this truss bridge is the last remaining span of the Pittsburgh Division line associated with Bollman. Around 1931, it was moved from Wills Creek to a location 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, after it was no longer able to safely carry heavier modern locomotives. It served as a vehicular bridge crossing CSX tracks on Long Road (Summit Township Road 381) at 39°49′48″N 79°02′34″W. The bridge was again relocated in 2007 to a location east of Meyersdale, where it now carries the Great Allegheny Passage trail over Scratch Hill Road at 39°49′06″N 78°59′41″W. Though it was designed by Wendell Bollman, it does not employ his famous Bollman truss, but rather a Warren truss. It is 52 feet (16 m) long and 13 feet (4.0 m) tall. The east abutments are constructed of concrete, while the west are earthen with wood ties. This bridge has a wood deck, and ornate cast iron end pieces, lacework, and compression members. End posts and tension members are constructed of wrought iron. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 8, 1978.

Location

Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pennsylvania

39.82997, -79.04255

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Nearby Historic Sites

New Colonial Hotel

Colonial

1.3 mi

Second National Bank of Meyersdale

Wolf, Penrose, Building

Nearby Battles

Battle of Folck's Mill

1864Civil War

13.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Bollman, W., and Company Bridge listed on the National Register?

Bollman, W., and Company Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 8, 1978.

What type of historic resource is Bollman, W., and Company Bridge?

Bollman, W., and Company Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Bollman, W., and Company Bridge?

The period of significance for Bollman, W., and Company Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.

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