BRIDGES (continued)

Steel Bridge

The Steel Arch Bridge spans an especially wide and deep gorge, carrying the bridge over the present-day Jackson Road and the south fork of Glass Bayou. Constructed in 1903 by the Penn Bridge Company, the bridge consists of a 150' steel arch deck truss approached on each end by 60' deck trusses. The three-hinged steel arch design was developed specifically to span deep gorges. This bridge is of historical interest because it is the only extant example of a steel arch bridge in the state of Mississippi.

HAER drawing of the hinged connections for the Steel Bridge. (Pete Brooks, 1997)

In 1972, a new bridge was built alongside the existing structure because the old bridge was not wide enough to accommodate large vehicles, such as tour busses and recreational vehicles. Having outlived its usefulness, the Steel Arch Bridge was to be removed. Park officials were of the opinion that the park should contain only structures that contributed to the presentation, preservation, or interpretation of the battle. Many members of the local community opposed the removal of the bridge, arguing that it had inherent historic value as Mississippi's only steel arch bridge. After a long and heated debate, the bridge was preserved as a pedestrian trail and overlook, but is presently closed to all traffic due to safety concerns.

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