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Near Claremont in Catawba County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Herman Haupt

 
 
Herman Haupt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 1, 2010
1. Herman Haupt Marker
Inscription. In 1862, the Secretary of War called on Haupt to assist in the reconstruction of railroads destroyed by retreating Confederates. Haupt was able to both rebuild the rail system and organize an efficient rail operation to resupply the Union. In nine days, using troop labor, Haupt rebuilt the Potomac Creek Bridge which had originally taken one year to build. Visiting the site of Haupt's astounding accomplishment, President Lincoln reported to his cabinet that the bridge was "The most remarkable structure that eyes ever rested upon. That man Haupt has built a bridge across Potomac Creek, about 400 feet long and nearly 100 feet high, over which loaded trains are running every hour, and, upon my words, Gentlemen, there's nothing in it but bean poles and cornstalks."

Herman Haupt, 1817-1905
After graduating from West Point, Herman Haupt went to work for the railroad industry. Haupt rapidly rose in the profession. During the Civil War, Haupt served as Chief of Construction and Transportation for the US Military Railroad System. After the war, he served as General Manager/Chief Engineer of the Shenandoah Valley, the Richmond and Danville, and the Northern Pacific Railroads, and as President of the Dakota and Great Southern Railroad.

The Bunker Hill covered bridge is the only remaining example in the world of the Haupt
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Truss in wood.

In 1851, Haupt published General Theory of Bridge Construction, detailing his patent (Dec. 27, 1839, Improving on the Lattice Truss). Haupt wanted to discover formulae for determining weight distribution and capacities of bridges. His book detailing his discoveries of a decade earlier became a standard civil engineering text at the main engineering schools of the era.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & ViaductsScience & MedicineWar, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
 
Location. 35° 43.289′ N, 81° 6.925′ W. Marker is near Claremont, North Carolina, in Catawba County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 70, 0.2 miles east of Bridgewood Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker and bridge are not accessible by vehicle. They are reached by a short (less than 1/4 mile) hike from the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Claremont NC 28610, 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. Bunker Hill Covered Bridge (here, next to this marker); Covered Bridges (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Bunker Hill Covered Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away);
Bunker Hill Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jamie Cox, December 26, 2011
2. Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
Marker is near the west entrance to the bridge
Catawba POW/MIA Monument (approx. 2.4 miles away); Catawba High School World War I Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Town of Catawba Veterans Garden of Honor (approx. 2.4 miles away); Town of Catawba (approx. 2.4 miles away); St. John's Church (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Claremont.
 
West End of Bunker Hill Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 1, 2010
3. West End of Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
Interior of Bunker Hill Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 1, 2010
4. Interior of Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
Bunker Hill Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 1, 2010
5. Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jamie Cox, December 26, 2011
6. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Located across from the marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on December 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.   2. submitted on December 29, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida.   3, 4, 5. submitted on December 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.   6. submitted on December 29, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida.

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Mar. 18, 2024