Woolsey Bridge

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Woolsey Bridge | image = Bridge At Woolsey, Arkansas.jpg | caption = Woolsey Bridge, 2011 (facing northwest) | nearest_city= Woolsey, Arkansas | coordinates = {{coord|35|53|08|N|94|10|10|W|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = Arkansas#USA | map_caption = Location in Arkansas##Location in United States | area = Washington County | built = 1925 | architect = | architecture= Two pin-connected, 8-panel Parker through trusses | mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500021|title=Historic Bridges of Arkansas MPS}} | added = June 9, 2000 | delisted = January 16, 2026 | governing_body = | refnum= 00000637 }} '''Woolsey Bridge''' (NRHP listed as '''Washington County Road 35 Bridge''') was a truss bridge built in 1925, formerly located near West Fork, Arkansas. It carried County Route 35 over the West Fork of the White River for {{convert|303|ft|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Woolsey Bridge |website=Bridgehunter.com |url=http://bridgehunter.com/ar/washington/woolsey/ |access-date=March 4, 2010}}</ref>

==History== The bridge is historic as the only surviving bridge in the area built in the camelback style. Engineered in a distinct way, the camelback truss is uncommon and this well-preserved example was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington County Road 35 Bridge, Woolsey Vic., Washington County |publisher=Arkansas Historic Preservation Program |url=http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.asp?id=242 |access-date=July 9, 2011}}</ref>

==Design== left|thumb|Oblique view Bridge designers and engineers of the early 20th century had seen the Pratt truss prove itself as a durable and economically feasible bridge. The Woolsey Bridge was designed as a camelback through truss design. The camelback is a modification of the Pratt truss by Charles H. Parker that features a top chord that is not parallel to the bottom chord. Although stronger in the center than parallel bridges, the style is less common due to its complexity. The Woolsey Bridge was likely built by a county workforce in 1925, possibly consisting of area residents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Bridges of Arkansas National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |url={{NRHP url|id=64500021}} |access-date=July 9, 2011}}</ref>

==Status== The bridge was closed to traffic in January, 2015 and a replacement bridge opened in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Washington County Closes Woolsey Bridge South of West Fork |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jan/14/washington-county-closes-woolsey-bridge/ |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=New Woolsey Bridge Outside Of West Fork Completed & Open |url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/new-woolsey-bridge-outside-of-west-fork-completed-open/527-bd8887c1-d237-432b-8324-bfdcf48864d6 |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> The old bridge was disassembled and given to the town of West Fork with the intention it would be repurposed into a pedestrian bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Woolsey Bridge to be moved, will become part of West Fork's trail system |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/oct/08/woolsey-bridge-to-be-moved-will-become-/ |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Woolsey Bridge}} *{{HAER |survey=AR-63 |id=ar0135 |title=Woolsey Bridge, County Road 1408, Woolsey, Washington County, AR |dwgs=5}}

Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas Category:Transportation in Washington County, Arkansas Category:Bridges completed in 1925 Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Arkansas Category:National Register of Historic Places in Washington County, Arkansas Category:Pratt truss bridges in the United States Category:Metal bridges in the United States Category:1925 establishments in Arkansas Category:White River (Arkansas–Missouri) Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Arkansas Category:Former National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas