Bowstring Truss Bridge
Also known as: Roaring Run Bowstring Truss Bridge; Haer Va-7; King Tubular Arch Truss; VDHR File # 060-5056 and #009-5279
Why it's listed
Set within the Ironto Rest Area along Interstate 81 in Montgomery County, Virginia, this 55-foot wrought iron bridge is a tubular arch pony truss made by the King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. It was first built in 1878 over Stony Fork in Bedford County, where Bedford County ordered six identical bridges after floods destroyed earlier ones in 1877. It is the only one of those six known to survive in Virginia. By the 1930s it had been moved about ten miles to a second site, and in 1977 it was relocated again to its present spot, where it now carries pedestrians. Its deck and abutments date from that move, but most main structural parts are original. It was listed for engineering significance because it shows the patented designs of Zenas King, including nuts that tighten the lower chord, and because tubular arch bridges are rare. Its relocation was judged not to reduce that value.
Significance in brief: The bridge embodies the distinctive characteristics of tubular arch bridge construction, a rare and unusual configuration. It is the only survivor in Virginia of six identical King tubular arch bridges built in Bedford County in 1878 after floods. It clearly shows the patented design concepts of Zenas King, including the 1866 patent's tension nuts. Although it has been moved, its engineering significance remains intact.
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 12001136, listed January 2, 2013. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | I-81, Ironto Rest Area, Ironto |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | January 2, 2013 |
| Reference number | 12001136 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1878 |
| Architect / builder | King Iron Bridge Company, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Architectural style | Other: Pratt Pony Truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now serves pedestrian use at the Ironto Rest Area, on concrete abutments and a wood deck installed in 1977; most main structural components are original. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 37.24116, -80.22420 (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 12001136.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712058
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.