Near Lafayette in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bow String Arch Truss

Oldest metal bridge in Virginia

Photographed by Kevin W., November 24, 2007

1. Bow String Arch Truss Marker

Inscription. This structure was built in 1878 by King Iron and Bridge Co. in Bedford County. It remained in use until 1971. It is the oldest metal bridge in Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 37° 14.347′ N, 80° 13.494′ W. Marker is near Lafayette, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is on Northbound Rest Area (Interstate 81 at milepost 129). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 129 Interstate 81 N, Elliston VA 24087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia,

in the Blue Ridge Highlands,

and in the New River Gorge.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The “Bowstring” Truss Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgomery White Sulphur Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgomery County / Roanoke County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Fotheringay (approx. 3.4 miles away); Fort Vause (approx. 5.1 miles away); American Revolution on the Frontier (approx. 6.2 miles away); Fort Lewis (approx. 6.3 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Lewis (approx. 6.3 miles away).

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Bow String Arch Truss Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

July 9, 2005

2. Bow String Arch Truss Bridge and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,660 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.