Anderson in Grimes County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Rocky Creek Bridge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 4, 2013

1. Rocky Creek Bridge Marker

Inscription. This historic bridge was originally located on CR 263 (known locally as CR 180) over Rocky Creek. Constructed around 1905, the Warren pony truss measured 50 feet in length and is a rare survivor of a once-common structure. The single-span, four panel bridge is comprised primarily of riveted and bolted steel channels, I-beams and plates and pin-connected Eye-bars. The main steel components were shop-riveted and then bolted into their final configuration on site.

A popular retreat through the 1890s, nearby Kellum Springs was likely a motivating force that resulted in the development of an early road north of Anderson that led to the springs and then connected with Iola to facilitate travel from the northern reaches of the county. The crossing of Rocky Creek with a bridge along this route was a necessity, as it remained a primary north/south route between Anderson and Iola into the 20th century.

The bridge now stands as an early landmark of Texas engineering history with a heritage proudly shared by the people of Grimes County.

Erected by Grimes County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 30° 29.209′ N, 95° 59.187′ W. Marker is in Anderson, Texas, in Grimes County. It is on South Main Street (County Highway 245) south of West Apalonia Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in a vacant lot behind the First United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 283 South Main Street, Anderson TX 77830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Steinhagen Log Cabin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Bahia Road (about 600 feet away); Grimes County Courthouse (about

Rocky Creek Bridge Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 4, 2013

2. Rocky Creek Bridge Marker (tall view)

700 feet away); In Memory of Jesse Grimes and Mathew Caldwell (about 700 feet away); Grimes County (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Grimes County, C.S.A. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fanthorp Inn (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anderson.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Anderson Baptist Church (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Bridge Basics. (includes diagrams and pictures of various bridge configurations) in a Pony configuration, traffic travels between parallel superstructures which are not cross-braced at the top; (Submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Warren Truss. The Warren truss was patented in 1848 by James Warren and Willoughby Theobald Monzani, and consists of longitudinal members joined only by angled cross-members, forming alternately inverted equilateral triangle-shaped spaces along its length, ensuring that no individual strut, beam, or tie is subject to bending or torsional straining forces, but only to tension or compression. Loads on

Rocky Creek Bridge Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 4, 2013

3. Rocky Creek Bridge Marker (wide view)

the diagonals alternate between compression and tension (approaching the center), with no vertical elements, while elements near the center must support both tension and compression in response to live loads. This configuration combines strength with economy of materials and can therefore be relatively light. (Submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Rocky Creek Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 4, 2013

4. Rocky Creek Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,521 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 26, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.