Located just east of Mineola, this tall and curved deck girder bridge crosses Snake Creek near Barrus Road.
Little is known about the history of the bridge. According to Wabash Railroad records, the original bridge at this location was a pile and frame trestle, built in 1898.
The current bridge features a 44 foot deck girder span, set onto timber pile piers and approached by numerous I-Beam trestle spans on either side. The Wabash often used these steel stringer spans as opposed to traditional timber stringers due to the cheaper maintenance.
It appears that the deck girder span is a secondhand, or relocated span. It is unknown when it was originally built, when it was moved here or where it may have come from. The author is currently doing more research into this.
It is also known that a significant derailment destroyed portions of this bridge in 1928, which resulted in the deaths of four men. It is unknown if the deck girder was built here after the major derailment, or even later. Other I-Beam trestles were built in the 1930s along this route.
Most of the steel spans along this route were relocated spans. Judging by appearances, it appears this span may date to approximately 1900, and may have been moved here around 1935.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no major deterioration noted.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.