The Zenas King Memorial Bridge

The Zenas King Memorial Bridge in Granville, Vermont. It was erected in 1908 by Harry Wheelock King in memory of his father, the owner of King Iron Bridge and Mfg. Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. The crossing's placard commemorates King's contribution to American bridge-building as well as his Vermont heritage.

Professor  Robert L. McCullough at the University of Vermont (rmccullo@uvm.edu) has been able to confirm that the King Iron Bridge and Mfg Co. fabricated at least three bridges erected in Vermont.   These were located in Woodstock (1877); Milton (1877); and Sheldon and Bancroft Falls (1887).

According to Professor McCullough's research, Sheldon Bridge had actually been fabricated for a site in Massina, New York. That town, however, decided against using it and purchased a lenticular bridge from the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, trading the truss in exchange as partial payment. The Berlin company then erected the King bridge in Sheldon, hiring the Vermont Construction Company to build the piers and abutments. The center pier collapsed within a few months, resulting in a well-documented law suit between the Berlin and Vermont companies; the Connecticut firm ultimately prevailed. The Vermont Construction Company was the state's only fabricator of iron truss bridges.

Thanks to Professor McCullough for the photo and history of the King Bridge!