Stone arches made with rubble masonry are easy to construct, and can be quite strong. The key to successfully building a rubble arch is in the laying and shimming of the stones.
Author Archives: StoneArchBridges
B. P. Lindsey is a Kansas resident who has extensively studied the stone bridges of the Sunflower State, most notably those of Cowley County. He is a writer with a love of the past — studying how people lived and how things were done in the old days. He also enjoys physics and building things. He has a particular interest in masonry and enjoys experimenting with various ways to build stone arch bridges — including two completed stone arch footbridges. He always has plans for another stone arch bridge down the road. You can find him at StoneArchBridges.com.
Factors in Stone Bridge Survival
There are several common themes that appear to have determined which stone arch culverts built by Kansas townships have stood the test of time.
Two New Additions to the Cowley Bridge List
We recently found two more stone arch bridges in Cowley County, Kansas, that are not on the county’s stone bridge brochure. These are both located in Otter Township.
Three Newly Found Cowley County Stone Bridges
Partially with the aid of an old newspaper article, we recently discovered three more little-known stone arch bridges in Cowley County, Kansas.
A Butler County Stone Culvert Find in Towanda Township
In Towanda Township, Butler County, Kansas, we have found a well-built stone arch culvert with high concrete curbing added. This culvert is presently threatened by scour.
A Butler County Stone Bridge in Towanda
We recently discovered a small stone arch bridge under the road on 5th Street in Towanda, Butler County, Kansas, with the aid of a newspaper reference.
The Strength of a Mortarless Stone Bridge
A mortarless stone arch bridge can be quite strong, as the secret to a successful stone bridge is to keep all the forces in compression as opposed to “gluing” the stones with mortar.
A Partly Buried Little Walnut Township Stone Culvert
We recently discovered a partly-buried stone arch culvert in Butler County, Kansas, which provides some revealing insight on another stone arch culvert in the area.
James Kiser’s Culverts: Newly Found Butler Stone Culverts
In this post we investigate the history and builder of two stone arch culverts located in Butler County, Kansas near Leon on 120th Street that were recently found.
Using Feathers and Wedges to Split Stone
Feathers and wedges are simple-to-use and reliable tools that provide an easy means for obtaining reasonable slabs out of massive, irregularly shaped stones.
Stone Arch Bridges 