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Prince William Forest Parkquantico creek in fall
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Prince William Forest Park
Bridges of Prince William Forest Park
pyrite mine bridge
HAER
A low Pratt pony metal truss bridge along Pyrite Mine Road.
 
There are two historically signifigant bridges within Prince William Forest Park.  Click on the links below to find out more about their history and construction.
 
ccc built bridge

NPS Photo

South Fork Quantico Creek Bridge

South Fork Quantico Creek Bridge
Originally constructed in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the South Fork Quantico Creek Bridge design and construction represents a renewal of interest in rustic forms of architecture that also influenced the construction of this bridge. This style highlighted the use of "native" materials: readily available in the surroundings and natural to a park's environment.
 
mine bridge

HAER

North Fork Quantico Creek Bridge

North Fork Quantico Creek Bridge
The North Fork Quantico Creek Bridge is representative of a common bridge type that became indigenous to the late nineteenth to early twentieth century landscape of America: a low Pratt pony metal truss bridge. The bridge predates the park's development and existence, yet its present use as a trail bridge is in keeping with the original intention of Prince William Forest Park as a preserved wilderness. As one of the last physical remnants remaining from the mining activities in this region of Prince William County, the bridge can also be linked to earlier land use in the area.
Great Horned Owl  

Did You Know?
An owl's eyes are fixed in place because their large size provides no room for muscle. To compensate for this, it can turn its head in almost any direction and angle, including the ability to rotate its head nearly 280 degrees. By comparison, people can only turn their heads a mere 90 degrees!

Last Updated: July 09, 2009 at 11:29 EST