Black Warrior Bridge

1882 Black Warrior River Bridge

UPDATE June 18, 2004 from Ken Willis:

"We are well on the way to moving our King Bridge to Northport and we are presenting a proposal to the City next week. We have several companies that are doing the work to prepare for the lift, and will be restoring the Bridge this summer. We are confident that we have a plan that will begin in the next few weeks with the road work, sight work for the huge road crane to get to the bridge, to dismantle it, and the transport back to an Iron shop in Northport to do the restoration."

Information & first photo courtesy of The Friends of Historic Northport, Alabama, with special thanks to Chuck Gerdau, Marvin Harper, and Ken Willis.

Remaining four photos are courtesy of Porfirio Solorzano of The Tuscaloosa News.

The 203 foot bridge span pictured above is one of three spans built in 1882 that crossed the Black Warrior River at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In 1895 the bridge was replaced and the spans were used across the county to cross smaller creeks, etc. Only one is now in existence. It is spanning North River in the most northern part of Tuscaloosa County on an old county road that is now obsolete.

Additional information on the Black Warrior Bridge in Northport can be obtained from Ken Willis, who is leading the efforts to restore the bridge. His email address is kdw58bu@aol.com.

A recent story by Moneeck Jackson at The Tuscaloosa News (www.tuscaloosanews.com) explains some more of the history of the bridge as well as the plans for its restoration. Click on here for the "History's lost and found: The first Black Warrior bridge."

From local newspapers of the time:

May 18, 1881
Bob Jemison has gone to Cleveland Ohio. We can hear of the bridge when he
returns.

June 15, 1881
Commissioners Court met with Mr. Fulmer of Cleveland Bridge Co. Contract was
annulled.

Sep 21, 1881
$17, 600 contract with King Bridge & Iron Co.

Dec 2, 1881
One car load of Iron for Bridge has arrived.

Feb 8, 1882
Iron for Bridge has all arrived.

June 21, 1882
Work on Bridge progressing rapidly.

Oct 2, 1882
From Mr. King of the King Bridge & Iron Co. referring to the capacity of the
Bridge recently constructed constructed over the Black Warrior River.....

Dear N.H. Brown, Judge of Probate Your favor of the 16th received, and
should have been answered sooner, but press of business prevented. The
Bridge was figured to carry on the largest span 900 pounds per lineal foot,
with a factor of safety of 4, to 3600 pounds per lineal foot before the
breaking limit is reached. This amounts, on the 187 foot spans to 673,200
pounds. The shorter are figured heavier, as they should be, according to
the best authorities. The above applies to the trusses. The Floor system
where concentrated loads may come is figured to sustain 1620 pounds per
lineal foot or each floor beam will sustain two loaded wagons passing each
other and weighing, load and all, 2 and a half tons each. We think this
statement of facts and figures will give your people assurance. if they need
it. We trust so. Jas. A. King