Gholson Bridge
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Why it's listed
Carrying Route 715 across the Meherrin River south of Lawrenceville in Brunswick County, this two-span through Pratt truss bridge dates to 1884 and was built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company. Its spans measure 86 feet and 100 feet 4 inches. The truss is probably wrought iron, with built-up top chords and end posts, small I-beam posts, and eyebar bottom chords and diagonals. The substructure is made up of random-coursed sandstone ashlar piers, abutments and wing walls. Decorative cast metal caps bearing the date top the end posts, and a pedimented bridge plaque is set on the portal strut. The bridge was recognized because it is the oldest multi-span truss in a statewide survey of metal truss bridges. It still sits at its original location, and evidence suggests an earlier bridge crossed the river at the same place. In the survey's rating system it earned 21.0 of a possible 27.0 points. The structure remains in public ownership and is in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest multi-span truss bridge in the state's metal truss bridge inventory. It remains at its original location, and there are indications that an earlier bridge crossed at the same spot. Under the Research Council's rating criteria it scored 21.0 out of a possible 27.0 points.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78003010, listed May 5, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Lawrenceville on VA 715 at Meherrin River, Lawrenceville |
|---|---|
| County | Brunswick County |
| Listed | May 5, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003010 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1884 |
| Architect / builder | Wrought Iron Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Two span through Pratt truss |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition, unaltered and on its original site; owned by the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation and open to the public without restriction. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.71675, -77.83118 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78003010.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712355
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.