Schenectady in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Whipple Bowstring Truss
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, January 2, 2008
1. Whipple Bowstring Truss Marker - Union College Campus, Schenectady, NY
An Example of the First Scientifically
Designed Bridge Truss
Commemorating the Contributions
to Bridge Engineering of
Squire Whipple, Class of 1830
A gift from the
City of Johnstown, New York
Reconstructed at its Present Location in 1980
by
Union College Civil Engineering Students
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 42° 49.087′ N, 73° 55.451′ W. Marker is in Schenectady, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker can be reached from Lenox Road. The marker is not seen from the roadway. It is mounted on a stone bollard in the middle of a footpath at the south end of the bridge. The bollard protects the bridge from vehicle traffic. The bridge is behind the distinctive round Achilles Rink on the Union College Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schenectady NY 12308, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of the Home of Charles Proteus Steinmetz (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Second Ward Second World War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nott Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); GE Realty Plot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Walnut Grove
this page online
Also see . . . Squire Whipple on Find-A-Grave. (Submitted on March 12, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Squire Whipple
Squire Whipple; Born 16 Sep 1804; died 15 Mar 1888.
Whipple was a U.S. civil engineer, inventor, and theoretician who provided the first scientifically based rules for bridge construction. His design of the Whipple truss bridge was the model for hundreds of bridges that crossed the Erie Canal in the late 19-th century. Before developing his design, Whipple worked for several years on surveys, estimates, and reports for the enlargement of the Erie Canal, and in 1840 he patented a scale for weighing canal boats. He later built the first weighing lock scale constructed on the Erie Canal. The invention of the steam engine required bridges which could support heavy live loads and this motivated Squire to turn his attention to
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, January 2, 2008
2. Whipple Bowstring Truss Marker & Bridge
— Submitted June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, July 3, 2009
3. Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, January 2, 2008
4. Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, July 3, 2009
5. Whipple Bowstring Truss - Detail
The truss is embossed with the following:"Patented 1841 By S. Whipple, Albany, N.Y. Patent Renewed, 1855"
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, July 3, 2009
6. Whipple Bowstring Truss - Detail
Here the truss is embossed with, " S. WHIPPLE; PATENT. SHIPMAN & SON, BUILDERS, SPRINGFIELD CENTRE, NY."
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, January 2, 2008
7. National Civil Engineering Landmark
This plaque is also mounted, on the opposite side, on the stone bollard in the center of the footpath. This marker has been defaced and vandalized.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, July 3, 2009
8. Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, February 8, 2008
9. Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge
Beyond the bridge is the Achilles Rink, home to the Union College Skating Dutchmen men's and women's ice hockey teams.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,976 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 27, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
