CE-1463 Bridge (SHA 7052)
Architectural Survey File
This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse- chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation such as photographs and maps.
Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.
All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.
Last Updated: 04-05-2004 Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Number: GE:.- j lf bLS. 1 1 1 Name:.--'-f_}_\b'----/-,1 ...:...... 1_-:?__.:__..,' _J=--..l•'-"-'=::;___::.;.--'-"----""-..:::...,4-J____::.~-__,_1'JJ_·-~_(___;:::~:..::....__----1--_ti_' _-;._;C/S_..._,__.::,7=----
The bridge referenced herein was inventoried by tn Maryland State Highway Administration as part of the Historic Bridge Inventory, and SHA provided the Trust with eligibility determinations in February 2001. The Trust accepted the Historic Bridge Inventory on April 3, 2001. The bridged received the following determination of eligibly.
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST Eligibility Recommended ___ Eligibility Not Recommended _X_ Criteria: A B C D Considerations: A _B _C _D _E _F _G _None Comments: ------
Reviewer, OPS:_Anne E. Bruder______Date:_3 April 200 l ___ Reviewer, NR Program:_Peter E. Kurtze ______Date:_3 April 2001 ___ MARYLAND INVENTORY OF IDSTORIC PROPERTIES MHT NO. CE-1463 IDSTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE IDGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MARYLAND IDSTORICAL TRUST
NAME AND SHA NO.: 7052
LOCATION
Road Name and Number: MD 213 over Big Elk Creek City{fown: Elkton _ vicinity County: Cecil
Ownership: X State _ County _ Municipal Other
Bridge projects over: _Road _Railway ...X... Water _Land
Is bridge located within designated district?: _ yes X no _ NR listed district _ NR determined eligible district _locally designated other Name of District
BRIDGE 1YPE
_ Timber Bridge _ Beam Bridge Truss-Covered Trestle Timber-and-Concrete
_ Stone Arch Bridge
_ Metal Truss Bridge
_ Moveable Bridge _ Swing _ Bascule Single Leaf _ Bascule Multiple Leaf Vertical Lift Retractile Pontoon
Metal Girder Rolled Girder Rolled Girder Concrete Encased Plate Girder Plate Girder Concrete Encased
_ Metal Suspension
Metal Arch
Metal Cantilever
X Concrete Concrete Arch Concrete Slab X Concrete Beam _Rigid Frame Other Type Name_ 391 MARYLAND INVENTORY OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES MHT NO. CE-1463 HISTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST
DESCRIPTION
Describe the Setting:
Located near the border between Maryland's Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic regions, Bridge 7052 carries MD 213 over Big Elk Creek in the Town of Elkton. Commercial businesses are located on both sides of this section of Maryland Route 213. Big Elk Creek meanders through Elkton, eventually draining into the Elk River. This portion of Route 213 runs in a generally north south direction. The bridge is located just south of Main Street.
Describe the Superstructure and Substructure: (Discuss points identified in Context Addendum, Section C)
Bridge 7052 is a three-span, concrete beam bridge which supports one travel lane southbound, one travel lane northbound, and one right tum lane from northbound Maryland Route 213 to tum onto Howard Street. Two of the spans are 40'-0" long; the other span measures 41"-0". The bridge consists of two abutments and two solid shaft piers supported on timber pilings. The piers, abutments and wing walls are built of horizontally-grooved concrete. Open balustrade-style parapets have approach guardrails attached to them.
A survey of historic concrete beam bridges undertaken by the Maryland State Highway Administration in the Fall of 1995 identified 113 bridges of that type located throughout the state. Nine percent (10) of that total were triple-span bridges; 37 bridges (33%) were multiple span.
Discuss major alterations:
According to inspection reports, the parapets may not be original. Engineering District 2 requested this structure be replaced due to the deteriorated condition of the bridge's piers and superstructure. The bridge was placed on the State Highway Administration's Special Projects list in fiscal year 1991 for total replacement. Although the bridge was added to SHA's priority list for repairs as of May 1996, replacement had not been scheduled.
HISTORY
When Built: 1932 Why Built: Statewide road improvement programs and local transportation needs Who Built: State Roads Commission; contract # Ce 112 Who Designed: Unknown; designed to standard state specifications
392 MARYLAND INVENTORY OF filSTORIC PROPERTIES MHT NO. CE-1463 filSTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE IDGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MARYLAND filSTORICAL TRUST
Why Altered: A search of inspection reports and drawings at the State Highway Administration has not revealed any recorded repairs. Was this bridge built as part of an organized bridge building campaign?: No
SURVEYOR ANALYSIS
This bridge may have NR significance for association with:
_A (Events) _ B (Person) _ C (Engineering/Architectural Character)
Was this bridge constructed in response to significant events in Maryland or local history?
Road improvements in Cecil County were fueled by several events occurring during the early twentieth century. First, the Good Roads Movement, which began in the last decade of the nineteenth century, aimed to improve primary roads throughout the state as well as multiple connecting roads between counties. As the movement progressed, numerous existing roads were widened, straightened, or graded, and many new bridges were built to carry the rebuilt roads. Second, rapidly increasing automobile, truck, and bus traffic also fueled the replacement of existing narrow and weak bridges with wider and stronger concrete structures, many of which were built according to standardized specifications and plans developed by the State Roads Commission (SRC). Third, the State Roads Commission established district engineering offices during the 1910s to aid in intrastate road development, and established a separate bridge department in 1920. This fostered construction of many concrete bridges throughout the state. In the 1920s, the SRC emphasized improving the safety and comfort of primary routes while developing secondary networks and feeder roads. By the 1930s, bridges that were originally deemed adequate had become unacceptable for carrying modem traffic loads and many new structures were built as a result.
When the bridge was built, and/or given a major alteration, did it have a significant impact on the growth and development of the area?
Bridge 7052 participated in the general trend toward upgrading state roads and bridges and improving intrastate access.
Is the bridge located in an area which may be eligible for historic designation, and would the bridge add or detract from the historic and visual character of the possible district?
No, this bridge is not located in an area eligible for historic designation.
393 MARYLAND INVENTORY OF IDSTORIC PROPERTIES MHT NO. CE-146.1 IDSTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE IDGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MARYLAND IDSTORICAL TRUST
Is the bridge a significant example of its type?
This bridge could possibly be a significant example of its type. Although it is one of several concrete beam bridges built on Maryland's state and county highways during this same time period and is not particularly exceptionai its lack of significant alterations or additions renders it worthy of further study. In addition, it may prove to be a relatively long bridge built according to state specifications.
Does the bridge retain integrity of the important elements described in the Context Addendum?
Yes, this bridge retains integrity of its character-defining elements unless it is subsequently determined that the parapets have been replaced. The character-defining elements for the superstructures of concrete beam bridges are the slab, the longitudinal beams, and the parapet or railing when integral. For the substructure, the character-defining elements are the abutments, piers, and wing walls. No significant alterations to the character-defining elements of this bridge have been recorded, although the parapets may have been replaced with parapets similar to the original ones.
Is the bridge a significant example of the work of the manufacturer, designer, and/or engineer, and why?
No, this structure is not a significant example of the work of the State Roads Commission. It is one of several similar concrete beam bridges built to standard specifications on Maryland's state and county highways.
Should this bridge be given further study before significance analysis is made, and why?
Yes, this structure should be given further study. Locally, Bridge 7052 is a relatively long bridge built according to state specifications. It should be compared with other local bridges built to state specifications.
394 MARYLAND INVENTORY OF IDSTORIC PROPERTIES MHT NO. CE-1463 IDSTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE IDGHWAY AD:MINISTRATION MARYLAND IDSTORICAL TRUST
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Spero, P.A C. & Company and Louis Berger & Associates 1994 Historic Bridges in Maryland: Historic Context Report. Maryland State Highway Administration, Baltimore.
State Highway Administration Bridge Inspection Reports. On file 707 North Calvert Street, Baltimore.
As-Built Drawings. On file 707 North Calvert Street, Baltimore.
State Roads Commission of Maryland 1958 A History of Road Building in Maryland. Baltimore.
SURVEYOR INFORMATION
Name: Gabrielle M. Lanier/Stephen Linhart Date: 13 May 1996 Organi7Jltion: KCI Technologies. Inc. Telephone: (717) 691-1340 Address: 5001 Louise Dr.. Suite 201 Mechanicsburg. PA 17055
395 '·y·,--< · ., .. ._.. /• ,,/ .( ~ / I ~ I I " I .... > • ------'._-~'"'"::"".....__ ..... _~ ; 0 %
\ \. \ \
(") .,, c \ c -... \ .,. \ z ~ I ,, ' \ - \ \-< -0 ·"~ \ \ '\ ' \ ' \ \ -. \\ \ \., •. \' !. \ ···<· ...... _ . \ '
POP. 8,073
---~
--~- ---~- """!."" ---=---
396 .. l D
/d{7! J/IJ{')J yI
I .:J.;?-- - I I-:!' ~ :J ti.Vi~ .;;fl?&
!)'[1/Y-1! ~t?
I c~ - 1+~3 ( ,E(I- (t'tJAIT'/ HQ
~,, r- )/.t '£/.!. YI c;s ,-, '115 ~~6·l>- ~-0 .J- I " 1 , 1 1 j~ 'C'J~·I i\ t 0 jct_I/ // 11 /Ct: tJ~
-'/ ,.. /ff. 1
..
Ct .. 14-
1 I l('k /,1~ I '( 11/V>l1't 4 A I I 1 ; I'~ ~1
I ' I ('I ' I -. ~
/.~ /" ~) 11 ''115 ,_ - ~ +. " f14~~Jl'A-Jrl() ..>!Ir<' h£11J(1[ ;...,cc t 11./tJ Jj ~~ ~I