Where a stone arch bridge must be founded on soft ground, there are several simple steps can be taken to prevent settling of the structure.
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.
The Wilson Bridge: Walter Sharp’s 1899 Dry Creek Bridge
The 1899 Dry Creek Bridge is the second oldest stone arch bridge in Butler County, Kansas, and has recently been given an excellent rehab.
Mortarless (Drystack) Retaining Walls
Mortarless stone retaining walls have to resist the perpetual thrust of the soil they are withholding. Here are several ways this can be done.
Mortarless Bridge Maintenance: Part 2
Mortarless stone arch bridges need extra care to ensure they are not overwhelmed by foliage and that friction between stones remains high.
Mortarless Bridge Maintenance: Part 1
A key concern when maintaining a mortarless stone arch bridges is how stones can be worked loose by vibration. There are ways to prevent this.
Update on Stone Arch Bridges of Butler County, Kansas
Butler County, Kansas has lost a stone arch bridge as part of a reconstruction project. Two more stone bridges are scheduled to be reconstructed.
The 1897 Turkey Creek Bridge
The oldest stone arch bridge in Butler County Kansas was built in 1897 by stone bridge advocate Abe Matheney and carries SW 70th over Turkey Creek.
The Keystone
The keystone, while generally no more important than any other arch stone, does require some special attention to fit properly.
A Very Early Stone Arch Culvert in Butler County
A very early stone arch culvert was built at El Dorado, Butler County, Kansas in 1882, associated with a long-gone mill.
Care of Stone Arch Bridges With Insufficient Waterway
Stone arch bridges with very insufficient waterway often need a little more care and maintenance than a larger bridge to remain useful.
