Located between Columbus and Reeseville near the ghost town of Astico, this bridge was the result of years of planning and a very creative way to preserve two historic bridges.
The bridge is built of two different spans, including one span originally built for railroad use, before it was reused as an overpass. The two spans were both removed in 1996, before being set down in the park. The Astico County Park bridge was built and the two spans assembled in 2006.
The pony truss span was originally known as the Scofield Road Bridge, located in southeast Dodge County. The through truss bridge was originally known as the Ninabuck Road Bridge, and was located approximately a mile southwest of this location.
Scofield Road Bridge
The Scofield Road Bridge can trace its roots to the Chicago & North Western Railway, which built the 64-foot riveted Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss bridge at an undisclosed location, possibly in Illinois or Wisconsin.
This style truss bridge was commonly used throughout the early 1880s, due to the cheap construction and favorable contract with Alden & Lassig of Chicago. The author estimates this bridge dates to approximately 1882.
According to the Historic American Engineering Record survey, the bridge was reinforced by Alden & Lassig in 1891. Alden and Lassig split in 1886, so it is likely that Lassig Bridge & Iron Works did the reinforcement.
Around 1909-1910, the bridge could no longer serve railroad traffic at the original location, and was removed. At this point, American Bridge Company rebuilt the bridge at the Chicago plant for road use, where it would be installed to cross a newly built mainline near Lebanon.
As the Milwaukee, Sparta & North Western Railway built a new mainline diagonally across Dodge County, numerous overpasses were required. This span ended up at Scofield Road west of Lebanon, near the present day Trestle Road Bridge. Like the nearby Poplar Grove Road Bridge, the bridge used wooden substructures and trestle approaches.
The bridge continued to serve road traffic at this location until approximately 1996, when the road was closed and the bridge removed. As part of the removal, the bridge was disassembled and placed into storage.
Unfortunately, the United States has lost a significant portion of the population of recycled railroad spans. Many have been replaced or outright removed since the 1990s, and this trend is expected to continue. Fortunately, this bridge was spared the scrap bin, and preservation was decided.
It is very clear that the bridge was modified when it was moved to Lebanon in 1910. The addition of outriggers, as well as a replacement of the floor was completed by American Bridge Company.
Historic photos of the Scofield Road Bridge can be seen here.
Ninabuck Road Bridge
The Ninabuck Road Bridge across the Crawfish River was erected in approximately 1907, in the town of Elba. It has been proposed that Chairman Ninabuck let the contract for the bridge, as his farm was immediately off that road.
The bridge consists of an 8-panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss. Featuring lightweight members and a lattice portal, the bridge is a very attractive span. When it was replaced in 1996, the bridge was also saved from scrapping, and placed into storage.
Unlike most spans on this site, this span was never built for railroad use, nor did it ever serve as such. The author felt it was important to include information on the span, due to the historic nature.
Historic photos of the Ninabuck Road Bridge can be seen here.
Astico County Park is located at a scenic bend in the Crawfish River. The east side of the park was selected for the re-erection of the two spans. Work began in 2006, including the construction of new concrete substructures.
The two spans were then painted in a neutral brown color, re-decked and re-assembled. The bridge is a great example of adaptive reuse, and the bridge has become a landmark.
The author hopes that more bridges will be built in this fashion, as it both preserves the historic spans, but also enhances the surroundings of where they are moved.
Because of the two truss types, excellent reuse and historic nature of the bridge, the author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant.
The photo above is an overview.