Near Canton in Haywood County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

West Fork Pigeon River Truss Bridge (1891)

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023

1. West Fork Pigeon River Truss Bridge (1891) Marker

Inscription. This Pratt through-truss bridge, known as Truss Bridge #79, was fabricated by the Phoenix Bridge Co. in 1891 and was originally erected about a mile downstream. When replaced with a larger bridge in the 1920s, the old iron bridge was relocated by local farmers to this site on the West Fork of the Pigeon River.

It is the state's oldest metal truss bridge and the only example that incorporates structural members called Phoenix columns, patented in 1862.

Erected by Bethel Rural Community Organization.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 35° 27.819′ N, 82° 54.009′ W. Marker is near Canton, North Carolina, in Haywood County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Logan Road (State Road 1111) and Ideal Way, on the right when traveling north on Lake Logan Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waynesville NC 28786, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Calvin Filmore Christopher (approx. 1.3 miles away); Pigeon Gap Watering Hole (approx. 2.4 miles away); Rutherford Trace (approx. 2.4 miles away); Inman Chapel (approx. 2.6 miles away); Osborne Boundary Oak Tree

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(approx. 2.7 miles away); Lenoir's Creek Devon Cattle Farm (approx. 3 miles away); Sunburst (approx. 3.2 miles away); Garden Creek (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Also see . . . West Fork Pigeon River Pratt Truss Bridge (PDF). National Register nomination for the bridge, which was listed in 2019. (N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023

2. West Fork Pigeon River Truss Bridge (1891) Marker

West Fork Pigeon River Truss Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023

3. West Fork Pigeon River Truss Bridge and Marker

Detail of Phoenix Column image. Click for full size.

Jet Lowe, Historic American Engineering Record via Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Div (Public Domain), 2003

4. Detail of Phoenix Column

The Williams Road Bridge in Chapmanville, Penn. also has these rare patented Phoenix columns, which were manufactured by the Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Penn. Used primarily as compression members, the prefabricated columns were stronger and could handle heavier loads than other designs at the time.

Bridge Engineer Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 21, 2024

5. Bridge Engineer Plaque

Built 1891 by Dean & Westbrook Engineers New York

Local Officials Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 21, 2024

6. Local Officials Plaque

Haywood County Commissioners E.H.Howell C.B. Roberts J.M. Gwynn

Overlooking West Fork Pigeon River from Truss Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Parker, March 21, 2024

7. Overlooking West Fork Pigeon River from Truss Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.