Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge

The Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge spans the Little Patuxent River with a length of 48.8 meters using a combination of wrought iron and cast iron elements.

Built in 1869 and relocated in 1887, this structure represents the first successful iron bridge design widely implemented by American railroads between 1850 and 1875.

The bridge influenced engineering education as a prime example of 19th-century metal bridge construction methods, leading to a local school bearing its name.

The structure functions as part of the Savage Mill Trail, allowing pedestrians to cross the Little Patuxent River while observing the red oxide and ivory painted components.

This bridge remains the last existing specimen of the Bollman suspension truss system, which permitted disassembly and relocation when structural requirements changed.

Location: Howard County

Inception: 1869

Length: 48.8 m

Made from material: wrought iron

GPS coordinates: 39.13470,-76.82530

Latest update: May 17, 2025 21:23