historic context of maryland highway bridges built between 1948 ...

SECTIONSIXResults of Field Investigations7. Section 5 F IVE Resu lts of Field Investigat ionsSHA in consultation with MIHP and FHWA had previously chosen a total of 21 bridgesrepresenting 12 bridge types built during period 1948 – 1960 to be included in an update of theexisting bridge survey.7.1 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ELIGIBILITYAs part of the scope of work for this project, the 21 highway bridges built in the 1948-1960period surveyed in 2003 by URS for SHA were evaluated for their eligibility for listing in theNational Register of Historic Places (National Register). The National Register Criteria forEvaluation (contained in Bulletin 15-How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation)identify the range of resources and kinds of significance that will qualify properties for listing inthe National Register. The Criteria (known individually as Criteria A, B, C, and D) are writtenbroadly to recognize the wide variety of historic properties associated with the nation‘s historyand pre-history. In addition, both the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland HistoricBridge Inventory1809-1960 (Spero and Berger & Associates 1995) have developed generalevaluation standards for historic bridges. These standards involve a series of research questionsthat aid in defining the historical significance of the bridge not only as an individual built entity,but as part of the larger transportation network. These research questions guided URS in thedevelopment of National Register eligibility recommendations for the surveyed bridges.Criterion A“Properties can be eligible for the National Register if they are associated with events that havemade a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.”A bridge may be eligible if it is the span directly associated with a political, economic, social ormilitary event (or series of events) significant in local, regional, state, or national history. Bridgescan be considered eligible if they are associated with significant transportation events such as thedevelopment of turnpikes and highways, highway improvements, or an important crossing of arailroad or waterway. Many bridges are associated with State and local government attempts toimprove roadway safety, to improve accessibility, or to provide more direct routes to or around acommunity.Evaluating a single structure, such as a bridge, for the National Register under Criterion Ainvolves conducting intensive research on the bridge‘s construction history, the history ofprevious bridges at this location (if any) and the history of the surrounding communities whichthis bridge or the associated roadway is linked. The evaluation should establish ―specificassociations with the continuance of watercourse crossings related to historic transportation,communities, industrial or agricultural sites‖(Spero and Berger & Associates 1995: C-4).As with the other three National Register Criteria, a bridge can be significant on the local,regional, state, or national level. An example of a highway bridge in Maryland dating from the1948-1960 period considered eligible for the National Register under Criterion A on the locallevel is the Sang Run Road Bridge (Bridge G06400) in Garrett County. The bridge is associatedwith the historical development of the surrounding Sang Run community. Research reveals that abridge at this location crossing the Youghiogheny River was first built as early as 1828. This firstbridge was rebuilt in 1863, and the stone piers of this bridge probably serve to support thepresent bridge. The Sang Run area grew in popularity with the improvements made to Swallow\15-SEP-11\\ 7-1