This large through girder bridge crosses Mosquito Creek south of Earling, along Iowa Highway 191.
The previous bridge at this location consisted of a pair of 55-foot through girder spans and a 45-foot through girder span, which were reportedly built in 1927. In 1949, the bridge was replaced by the present bridge, which included bringing in a large 111-foot through girder, and adding two short through girder spans, cut down from another span. These spans were then placed on concrete and timber piers.
It is possible that the original 45-foot girder was reused and cut in half to form the approaches, or it is possible that the spans came from elsewhere and were cut out of separate spans. The north approach boasts a 1913 plaque, while the south span has an empty Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Works plaque location. It is assumed that this span was also constructed between 1910 and 1915. Research on this bridge is ongoing,.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the inventive reuse of two girder spans.
The photo above is an overview.