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Shellsburg Stone Arch

Stone Arch Bridge over Unnamed Creek
Shellsburg, Benton County, Iowa

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Name Shellsburg Stone Arch
Built By Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Iowa Northern Railway
Length 20 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Stone Arch
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1891
Traffic Count 4 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date February 2017


This old stone arch bridge crosses an unnamed creek near the town of Shellsburg.
Built in 1891, the bridge likely replaced an older wooden trestle. The arch was built using a standard horseshoe shape, as compared to other elliptical shapes.
The structure was likely built by an early stonemason.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition with minimal scour.

The author has ranked the bridge moderately significant, due to the older design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Date Carving
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele