B-53-0162
WisDOT Designation: Local - Rural
Historic Name: Turtleville Iron Bridge
Current Owner: Town of Turtle
Year Built: 1887
County: Rock County
Crossing: Turtle Creek
Bridge Category: Pin-connected Pratt through truss
Spans and Type: 1 span, steel overhead truss
Overall Length and Width: 147 feet, 4 inches x
16 feet, 2 inches
National Register of Historic Places Status:Listed in the National Register
Details
Also known as Turtleville Iron Bridge and the Turtle Creek Bridge, Lathers Road Bridge was listed in the National Register in 1977 for its significance in the areas of engineering and transportation. It is a pin-connected Pratt through truss erected in 1887 by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company. It is significant for both its builder and the transitions occurring in bridge construction at the time of its construction.
The Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company was founded in Wauwatosa in 1870 under the name Weinhagen Brothers. Eventually, the company became one of the major bridge building firms in the northcentral region of Wisconsin. The Turtleville Iron Bridge is likely one of the earlier truss bridges constructed by the company.
Additionally, the bridge is constructed of wrought iron, only briefly used as a material in bridge design. As such, it likely represents one of the only remaining extant wrought iron bridges built by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company.