Mifflinburg in Union County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hassenplug Bridge
Circa 1825
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021
1. Hassenplug Bridge Marker
Burr Truss
All wood
With the advent of the use of iron members in bridge building the Burr Trusses were simplified, and in 1840 Squire Whipple, C.E. of Utica, New York trussed the arched upper chord with the straight lower chord to form the Bowstring Truss.
Bowstring Truss 1840
Wood & iron
At the same time William Howe trussed together the straight upper and lower chords with iron and wood members to form the truss bearing his name.
Howe Truss 1840
Wood & iron
In 1847 Squire Whipple published "A Work on Bridge Building" which contained the first analysis of the stresses in truss members and is acknowledged today as the pioneer of modern bridge design.
In order to preserve the major portion of this relic the commissioners have removed the original wood floor system, and have caused a modern steel bridge to be built entirely within the old wooden structure.
Modernized 1959
Union County Commissioners
Thelma J. Showalter · Chairman
Anthony F. Flavio · Commissioner
David L. Martin
this page online
Erected 1959 by Union County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.
Location. 40° 55.412′ N, 77° 2.984′ W. Marker is in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, in Union County. It is at the intersection of 4th Street and Buffalo Creek, on the right when traveling north on 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mifflinburg PA 17844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sept. 11, 2001... (approx. 0.3 miles away); Korea (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union County World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Original Site of the Union County W.W. II Draft Board (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vietnam (approx. 0.3 miles away); USS Cole... (approx. 0.3 miles away); Buffalo Valley Rail Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Buffalo Valley Rail Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mifflinburg.
Also see . . .
1. The Oldest Covered Bridge In Pennsylvania Has Been Around Since 1825. Only In Your State website entry (Submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Exploring the Hassenplug Covered Bridge in Union County
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021
2. Hassenplug Bridge Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021
3. Hassenplug Bridge
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021
4. Hassenplug Bridge Interior
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021
5. Former Hassenplug House
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
