Katy Trail - Little Bonne Femme Creek Bridge

Located on the west of the small town of Easley, this unusual Pratt through truss bridge carries the Katy Trail over Perche Creek. The first bridge at this location was likely a wooden trestle, constructed when the line was built. It is unknown if the current span is original replacement of this wooden trestle, or if there was an additional bridge at this location. The bridge consists of a 125-foot, 5-panel riveted Pratt through truss span, fabricated in 1898, and set onto concrete abutments. The truss span utilizes a slotted portal and sway bracings, solid heel bracings, riveted connections and a combination of solid and laced members. This span was constructed constructed by A&P Roberts Company, also known as Pencoyd Iron Works. The MKT contracted extensively with this company for bridges, and A&P Roberts provided numerous spans throughout the system. It appears that the concrete abutments were constructed at different times, with the east abutment appearing to date to the 1930s or 1940s. Pratt trusses were the most popular truss bridge design in the late 19th Century, as they were economical, durable and utilized a simple design. Most of these types of spans were pin connected structures, and the design fell out of favor in the 20th Century as riveted Warren spans were introduced. Riveted Pratt spans, particularly for railroad use, were uncommon. It is possible that the railroad preferred to use riveted connections for shorter spans, and this was the most suitable design at the time.

A historic report commissioned by Missouri State Parks also indicates the possibility that this span was relocated and extensively altered. An identical bridge, located near Pryor, Oklahoma; was fabricated the same year and by the same company, but was relocated to that location in approximately 1940 or 1941 as part of a spur to an Ammunition Facility. The Oklahoma Truss is identical to this truss span in almost every way. A third similar span was constructed in New Braunfels, Texas utilizes the same design, but was fabricated by Phoenix Bridge Company in 1901. Based on the other bridges, it appears that much of the material of this bridge is original to the bridge, although it cannot be confirmed if this span was relocated here. Railroads often reused steel and iron spans, as it provided a cost effective way to repair and replace bridges. Often, when a bridge became inadequate at one location, it could feasibly be reused at another location, with or without repairs. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. A timber pile bent is present near the middle of the bridge, possibly being used as a helper bent. The southeast endpost also utilizes bolts instead of rivets, which were installed after a derailment in 1982 damaged the endpost. Currently, the bridge is used by the Katy Trail. The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the unique truss design.