G-II-C-307 River Road Bridge over Casselman River (Bridge No. G-109, Casselman River Road Pratt Truss Bridge) 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: 05-26-2017 INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY/DISTRICT MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST INTERNAL NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM Property/District Name: River Road Bridge Survey Nl.llber: G-II-C-307 Project: River Rd over Casselman River Garrett County Agency: USDA/Garrett Co. Site visit by MHT Staff: .JL no yes Name Date Eligibility reconmended _x_ Eligibility not reconmended Criteria: .JLA _B _c _D Considerations: _A _B _c _D _E _F _G _None Justification for decision: (Use continuation sheet if necessary and attach map) Under criteria A, the River Road Bridge derives its significance from its association with the development of transportation in Garrett County. A single span, pin connected, Pratt ,........i:,rough truss, the bridge was constructed c. 1890 or 1900. Metal truss bridges represent an :c·rtant step in engineering design and a uniquely American ach i evement, the result of intensive experimentation in the 19th century. These bridges were the most popular form of bridge construction in Maryland between the 1870s and the 1930s. Large nl.llbers of these relatively easily and cheaply bui Lt structures were constructed to span small crossings, greatly facilitating vehicular movement and cormunication throughout the developing county. According to Wal lace, Montgomery & Associates and the State Highway Administration, the Casselman River Bridge is one of only four remaining metal through truss bridges in Garrett County. One of these four, the Glendale Road Bridge over Deep Creek Lake is slated for demolition. The Corona Bayard Road Bridge over North Branch Potomac River, the only bridge comparable in size and structural type to the River Road Bridge, is in poor condition and is closed to pedestrian traffic. The River Road Bridge is thus an increasingly rare exa°"le of the modest sort of structure which was once a common element of the rural landscape. Docllllentation on the property/district is presented in=~-I~n~v~e~n~t~o~rv._~~-F~o~r~m"-~G~-~I~I_-~C--3~0~7'-~~~- Pro·ect File Prepared by: Donna Ware Elizabeth Hannold Septent>er 22. 1992 Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services Date ,,,,,. NR program C9Act.1rrence:.. yes no not applicable 1 L 7 ·. /) ' -:.·' 01 - \ vf\ _J/(., 1;; ~J~<u-~--~ Reviewer, NR program ! Survey No. G-ll l-C-307 MARYLAND COMPREHENSIVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN DATA - HISTORIC CONTEXT I. Geographic Region: Eastern Shore Call Eastern Shore counties, and Cecil> Western Shore (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's} Piednont (Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery) _x_ Western Maryland (Allegany, Garrett and Washington) I I. Chronological/Developmental Periods: Paleo-Indian 10000-7500 B.C. Early Archaic 7500-6000 B.C. Middle Archaic 6000-4000 B.C. Late Archaic 4000-2000 B.C. Early Woodland 2000-500 B.C. Middle Woodland 500 B.C. - A.O. 900 Late Woodland/Archaic A.O. 900-1600 Contact and Settlement A.O. 1570-1750 Rural Agrarian Intensification A.O. 1680-1815 __x_ Agricultural-Industrial Transition A.O. 1815-1870 Industrial/Urban Dominance A.O. 1870-1930 Modern Period A.O. 1930-Present Unknown Period prehistoric historic) 11 I. Prehistoric Period Themes: IV. Historic Period Themes: Subsistence Agriculture Settlement Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Coornuni ty Planning Political Economic CComnercial and Industrial) Demographic Government/Law Religion Military Technology Religion Envirol'lllental Adaption Social/Educational/Cultural _x_ Transportation v. Resource Type: Category: Structure Historic Environment: Transportation Historic Function(s) and Use(s): Bridge Known Desi gn Source: Unknown MARYLAND INVENTORY OF IDSTORIC BRIDGES MHT No. G-II-C-307 HISTORIC BRIDGE INVENTORY MARYLAND STATE IDGHWAY ADMINISTRATION/ MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST SHA Bridge No. G-109 Bridge name __Ri_._ve_r_R_o_a_d_o_v_e_r_C~a~s~se~l_m~an~Ri~ ·~v~er~---- LOCATION: Street/Road name and number [facility carried] -=Ri=·v""'"e=r'""'R'""o""'a""'d"--------------- City/town -~G=r~an=t=s~v1=·11=e_______________________ Vicinity _X=-=-- County -~G=a=rr~e~tt~------------------------------ This bridge projects over: Road Railway__ Water --1L. Land Ownership: State ____ County _x_ Municipal Other ________ HISTORIC STATUS: Is bridge located within a designated historic district? Yes No X National Register-listed district __ National Register-determined-eligible district __ Locally-designated district Other----------------- Name of district ------------------------------- BRIDGE TYPE: Timber Bridge ___. Beam Bridge ____ Truss -Covered Trestle Timber-And-Concrete Stone Arch Bridge _ Metal Truss Bridge _x Movable 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 Concrete __ Concrete Arch__ _ Concrete Slab__ _ Concrete Beam Rigid Frame ___ Other ____ Type Name _______________ G-J[- c -3t>l DESCRIPTION: Describe Setting: Bridge G-109 carries River Road over the Casselman River in a north/south direction near Grantsville, Maryland. The Casselman River flows west/east. The area is rural and heavily vegetated. There is no development in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. Describe Superstructure and Substructure: This structure is a single-lane, single-span, Pratt through-truss. The truss is comprised of five panels and has a total bridge length of 83 feet. The clear roadway width is 9.4 feet. The top chord is constructed of back to back channels, a riveted top cover plate, and batten plates on the bottom. The bottom chord is constructed of eye bars. The verticals, to which the floorbeams are attached, are composed of angles and lattice bars while the diagonals are constructed of eye bars. The I-shaped floorbeams support the deck. The floor system is also supported by longitudinal I-shaped stringers which are supported by the transverse floorbeams. The portal and other top bracing between the trusses is comprised of angles. All member and joint connections are of pinned construction. The deck consists of timber planks which are attached to the steel stringers. The bridge railings are steel and are attached to the roadway side of the trusses. The substructure consists of cut stone masonry block abutments. Discuss Major Alterations: U-bolts and wire rope have been installed at some panel points of the bottom chord for reinforcement. IDSTORY: WHEN was bridge built (actual date or date range) c.1890-1900 This date is: Actual Estimated --=X'-=---- Source of date: Plaque Design plans ___ County bridge files/inspection form X Other (specify) State inventory form WHY was bridge built? To provide a reliable crossing of River Road over the Casselman River, to meet local transportation needs. WHO was the designer ------------------ WHO was the builder ------------------ WHY was bridge altered? [check N/A __x_if not applicable] -------------- Was bridge built as part of organized bridge-building campaign? Yes No X SURVEYOR/IDSTORIAN ANALYSIS: This bridge may have National Register significance for its association with: A - Events X B- Person ____ C- Engineering/architectural character _x__ In 1992 this bridge was declared eligible for National Register listing by the Maryland Historical Trust under Criterion A for its connection with the development of transportation in Garrett County. It might additionally be eligible for its engineering/architectural character under Criterion C. Was bridge constructed in response to significant events in Maryland or local history? No_ Yes_x_ If yes, what event? This bridge was one of a large number of metal truss bridges erected in Maryland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These bridges, which were stronger and more reliable than the majority of their predecessors, were part of a major advance in bridge technology in Maryland and throughout the nation in the third quarter of the nineteenth century. When the bridge was built and/or given a major alteration, did it have a significant impact on the growth & development of the area? No Yes-=-X=------ Because of their solidity, metal truss bridges such as the River Road bridge provided reliable crossings, largely free from the dangers of floods and other disasters that regularly destroyed many of their predecessors. By assuring travelers