Living Off the Water: ​The Challenge to Tame and Sustain Life in the Solomon Valley
Shared human experiences with water along the Solomon River from Glasco to Hoxie, Kansas.
Bridging the Solomon River
Glasco, Kansas
Two towns, Glasco and Simpson, worked to have the Kansas State Legislature approved bridge located near them. From June, 1883 to June, 1884 voters considered the advantages of a bridge. 
    *from The Glasco Sun
 
Why Have A Bridge At Pott’s Ford?
  • shorten farm to market trip    
  • enable voting if water high at election time    
  • maintain access to mail, mill, church and medical service    
  • give a boost to Glasco economy
When Was The Bridge Built?
  • August, 1884, Wrought Iron Bridge Co. was commissioned to complete the bridge in 90 days.
Where Was It Located?
  • Southwest of Glasco, on a bend in the road.  It was misaligned so provided a right angle approach to the river. Shortening the bridge length was economical.
What Kind Of Bridge?
  • The Pratt truss bridge was one of 9 truss bridges built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Co. in Kansas.  A total of 262 Pratt truss bridges were built in Kansas. The pin connected bridge was assembled on site.
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Historic Designation — Action by KDOT and KSHS
  • When?   January 4, 1990, the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Why? In order to preserve for posterity examples of each type of bridge.
The Pott’s Ford Pratt Truss Bridge Was Rated High In Significance.
  • Age — One of the oldest Pratt in the state. 
  • Builder — A known, out-of-state builder.
  • Integrity — Retained a good degree of integrity.  *Potential—For a by-pass
  • Historic Symbol — Of the struggle between early Kansas communities. 
  • Why built — Struggle for security and safety
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Current Condition of the Pott’s Ford Bridge
  • Location? 40th Road, southwest of Glasco.
  • Status?   Open to traffic, no restrictions.
  • Inspection? January, 2015
  • Deck condition -- Satisfactory (rated 6 out of 9)  *Superstructure condition—Fair (5  out of 9)
  • Substructure condition — Poor (4 out of 9)   
  • Appraisal — Structurally deficient
  • Sufficiency rating — 28.5 out of 100    
  • Average daily traffic — 25

​Looking Ahead
  • What? Is there action that should be taken now?
  • Why? Early Glasco citizens fought to have the bridge built.  Today’s Glasco citizens may be able to protect it in order to ‘preserve for posterity’ this fine truss bridge.
Photos on this page courtesy of Robert Elder
​October 24 – On the creeks we were obliged to dig and to use the lariats in letting down and pulling up the wagons. The creeks have cut down their beds to 25- to 30 fee through the loamy soil; their bottoms were narrow and their sides steep.      *from McBratney Diary Quotes – Continuity in Water/Ways Exhibit From the Original 5 x 7 inch red leather receipt book
Select Below to Read More Water/Ways Stories
R. McBratney  |  Bridging The Solomon  |  Water Power  |  Journeys End  |  Webster Dam  |  Ground Water Issues  |  A Sacred Promise