This historic Pratt Through Truss bridge crosses the BNSF Mainline in Melvern, Kansas.
The bridge here was built in 1909, using a much older truss. This truss likely dates to approximately 1890, based on identical structures. However, the Kansas Historical Society suggests the bridge may date to 1884.
However, the official National Register of Historic Places nomination for this structure lists a build date of 1909; and that the Santa Fe used a standard railroad truss for the road crossing.
Despite this claim, this is clearly false. Similar Santa Fe trusses have been seen on other portions of the system, and date to the 1880s and 1890s. In addition; this was a time of double tracking and expansion for the Santa Fe mainline. As a result, there were numerous crossings of the Marias des Cygnes River that were only 20 years old at the time of double tracking.
One possible theory the author has is the bridge came from Quenemo; just to the east of this location. While the existing truss bridge is slightly larger than this structure, only one pier is constructed of stone masonry.
Other situations are similar to this structure, including the Santa Fe Street Bridge in Sibley, Missouri.
Whatever the situation of this bridge is, it is certainly a very unique structure. The truss is a 7 panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss set onto concrete substructures. It bears much resemblance to another bridge in the region, at Iola.
Despite the unknown origins of this structure, the author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, as it is a good example of an old type of railroad through truss.
Fortunately, the railroad and Melvern have partnered to preserve this bridge and turned the surrounding area into a nice park.
The photo above is an overview.