Main Street Bridge (Charles City, Iowa)

The Main Street Bridge is a historic structure located in Charles City, Iowa, United States. It spans the Cedar River for 248 feet (76 m).[2] Before a bridge was built at this location local citizens would cross the river by way of a ferry, at a ford in summer, and across the ice in winter. The first bridge at this location was washed away in a flood while it was under construction in 1858. The second bridge was completed in 1864, and it was destroyed in a flood two years later. A temporary bridge was completed in 1867, and it was replaced by a truss bridge in 1870. It was used for 40 years despite an engineer's study in 1892 that suggested it be condemned.[2] The Floyd County Board of Supervisors approved a replacement bridge in 1908. The old bridge was moved to a new spot five blocks downstream, but contract problems delayed construction of the new bridge. Advance Construction Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin was finally awarded a contract in March 1909. The three span concrete filled spandrel arch bridge was designed by their designing engineer G.W. Miller. It was completed in 1910 for about $40,000, which was paid for by the county and the city.[2] The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.[1]

Main Street Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Main St. over the Cedar River, Charles City, Iowa
Coordinates	43°03′58″N 92°40′48″W
Built	1909-1910
Built by	Advance Construction Co.
Architect	G.W. Miller
Architectural style	Closed-spandrel arch bridge
MPS	Highway Bridges of Iowa MPS
NRHP reference No.	99000311[1]
Added to NRHP	March 12, 1999

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Robert M. Hybben; Clayton B. Fraser. "Main Street Bridge". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-08-20. with photos