Mahned Bridge, Iron truss bridge in Perry County, Mississippi.
Mahned Bridge is an iron truss structure that spans about 335 feet across the Leaf River, combining two different engineering systems in its design. The structure uses Camelback and Pratt truss types, both engineered and built by a Chicago-based company that specialized in metal bridge construction.
The bridge was built in 1903 as one of the first structures to connect isolated farming communities with larger towns across the Leaf River. This construction represented an early infrastructure project that opened rural areas to improved transportation and trade.
The bridge takes its name from the nearby community of Mahned, established by a local figure whose reversed surname became the settlement's identity. This personal naming reflects how rural communities often tied their places to the people who shaped them.
The bridge is not open to the public, as its wooden deck was removed and the structure has been closed since 1980. The best views of the iron framework come from the riverbanks, where you can see the truss system and engineering details from the outside.
The structure received designation as a Mississippi Landmark in 1996 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This recognition honored its engineering significance and its role in documenting rural infrastructure development.
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