Concord in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Bigelow Bridge

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

1. The Bigelow Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Bigelow Bridge over the Cattaraugus Creek is significant as an intact example of a "Pennsylvania (Petit)" truss. This is a Parker truss modified with the addition of sub-struts, resting on reinforced concrete abutments. This is an unusual bridge type in New York State and may represent the work of a Pennsylvania bridge builder rather than the typical New York bridge company. This type of truss structure was more commonly employed by railroads. Built in 1925, this single-span steel bridge is also important as a prominent element in an unaltered rural setting. The bridge was designed for very heavy live loads, which may relate to the historic use of this road as a motor truck route between the southern tier and the Niagara Frontier. By 1928, the motor truck had become an indispensable factor in the total economic system in western New York. At the same time the farm products of the rural southern tier were transported along NY 240, crossing the Bigelow Bridge by truck to Buffalo to sustain the inhabitants in a growing economy. Bigelow Bridge retains a high degree of historic integrity.

The adjoining areas of Cattaraugus

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Creek are also listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory because they possess areas of significant topography, diversity and variation. These sections of Cattaraugus Creek have outstanding remarkable geologic value and are eligible for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 42° 29.784′ N, 78° 38.471′ W. Marker is in Concord, New York, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of South Vaughn Street (New York State Route 240) and Randall Drive, on the left when traveling south on South Vaughn Street. Randall Drive is segmented. Both ends intersect with NY 240. The marker is at the south intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springville NY 14141, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Buffalo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the

Westward Towards NY 240 Intersection image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

2. Westward Towards NY 240 Intersection

Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bertrand Chaffee Hospital (approx. 1.3 miles away); A Tribute to "Pop" Glenn Scobey Warner (approx. 1.4 miles away); World War II (approx. 1½ miles away); Korea (approx. 1½ miles away); Dedicated to the Memory of (approx. 1½ miles away); Operation Enduring Freedom (approx. 1½ miles away); Village of Springville (approx. 1½ miles away); Springville and Sardinia Narrow Gauge (approx. 1½ miles away).

Marker and Unplowed Parking Lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

3. Marker and Unplowed Parking Lot

End of Randall Drive in background.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

4. The Bigelow Bridge Marker

The Bigelow Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

5. The Bigelow Bridge and Marker

The Bigelow Bridge, NY 240 Bridge, and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

6. The Bigelow Bridge, NY 240 Bridge, and Marker

View from unplowed parking area.

Randall Drive View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, January 28, 2015

7. Randall Drive View

Left to right: parking lot, marker, Bigelow Bridge, current NY 240 bridge. The far side of the bridges is Cattaraugus County.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 13, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.