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

Inscription.

This bridge called Hassenplug after the family who lived in the nearby brick house, having all wood members, secured at the joints with wooden pins and iron bolts, was patterned after an 1804 design of Theodore Burr.

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

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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. Marker 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.

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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Hassenplug Covered Bridge 38-60-03.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021

2. Hassenplug Bridge Marker

At south end of bridge

Bridgehunter website entry (Submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Hassenplug Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021

3. Hassenplug Bridge

Looking north

Hassenplug Bridge Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021

4. Hassenplug Bridge Interior

Former Hassenplug House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2021

5. Former Hassenplug House

Just north of the bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 26, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.