Adel Bridge, Historic bridge in Adel, Iowa, US
The Adel Bridge is a historic crossing over the Raccoon River in Iowa built with two Pratt through truss sections spanning about 400 feet. The structure demonstrates late 1800s engineering methods and stands on River Street where it was originally placed.
The structure was built in 1882 by the King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company from Cleveland, replacing an earlier ferry crossing. It served as the main river passage into town for over 50 years before the U.S. Route 6 bridge opened in 1932.
The bridge demonstrates how engineers of the late 1800s designed river crossings and what was possible with the technology available then. Visitors can see a structure that reflects the technical capabilities of that era.
The structure remains at its original location on River Street but has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2000. Visitors can examine the construction from outside and study the engineering up close.
The bridge was one of many standard designs produced by the King Iron Bridge Company, reflecting how industrial manufacturers mass-produced crossing structures in the late 1800s. Similar versions were built across multiple states during that period.
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