Cowley County, Kansas, boasts of being the stone arch bridge capital of the state. With 18 stone arch bridges listed on the county’s stone arch bridge brochure, these old structures are also a notable part of the county’s tourism. So, what makes the Cowley bridges unique among the 200+ other stone … [Read more...] about On the Stone Arch Bridges of Cowley County, Kansas
Cowley
Update on Esch’s Spur Bridge
Back in June we wrote an article on the Esch’s Spur Bridge (also denoted as Kirk Bridge), a well-known triple-arch bridge outside Dexter, Cowley, Kansas, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After further flooding, the middle arch sustained substantial damage. A notable portion … [Read more...] about Update on Esch’s Spur Bridge
On Spandrel Walls
One of the important parts of a stone arch bridge is the spandrel walls. The spandrel is the part of the bridge that is built up over the arch to form a reasonable roadbed grade. Unlike the approach, the spandrel walls are located over the arch. Except for a very flat arch, something must be done … [Read more...] about On Spandrel Walls
Repair of Partially Collapsed Arches
Can a partially collapsed stone arch be repaired? While presenting a somewhat of a challenge, this sort of damage to a stone bridge is, nevertheless, reparable, as proved by the case of Ireland’s Avoca Village Bridge.1 The Avoca Village Bridge consists of several true semi-elliptical arches built … [Read more...] about Repair of Partially Collapsed Arches
Andes Bridge
The Andes Bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, is one of four double-arch bridges in Cowley County, Kansas. (The others include the Neer, Rock Creek, and the Fromm bridges—the smaller west arch of the Fromm Bridge was buried by the county to prevent collapse.) In … [Read more...] about Andes Bridge
The Esch’s Spur Bridge
The Esch’s Spur Bridge (called Kirk Bridge on the plaque) is a well-known triple-arch bridge outside Dexter, Cowley, Kansas, that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Built in 1913 by Walter Sharp, this bridge has spanned Grouse Creek for over a century. Arguably the most … [Read more...] about The Esch’s Spur Bridge