James Barney Marsh

Patent image for Marsh's Reinforced Arch Bridge

Brush Creek Bridge

James Barney Marsh (1856–June 26, 1936) was an engineer and bridge designer born in North Lake, Wisconsin.

Biography

He was a graduate of Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in Ames.

He is known for reinforced concrete arch bridges, for which he held a 1911 United States patent. An example is the Cotter Bridge in Arkansas. The Big Creek Bridge in Oregon is similar in design. Several of these bridges remain and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Hundreds of Marsh "Rainbow" bridges were constructed in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s because of their popular design and appearance.

Marsh is buried in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa with members of his family.

Notable works include:

• Beaver Creek Bridge, M Ave. over Beaver Cr. Perry, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Beaver Creek Bridge, 210th St. over Beaver Cr. Ogden, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Big Creek Bridge 2, 2130 320th St. over Big Cr. Madrid, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Blacksmith Creek Bridge, W of Topeka Topeka, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Brush Creek Bridge, N of Baxter Springs Baxter Springs, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Cedar Creek Bridge, FAS 96 Elgin, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Conroe Bridge, E of Junction City Junction City, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Court Avenue Bridge, Court Ave. over Des Moines R. Des Moines, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Creamery Bridge, FAS 456 Osawatomie, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Des Moines River Bridge, Co. Rd. P14 over East Fork of Des Moines R. Swea City, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Dewlen-Spohnhauer Bridge, Old US 160 Independence, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Mack, John, Bridge, S. Broadway across the Big Arkansas R. Wichita, KS Marsh,James B., NRHP-listed
• Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge, Hwy. N37 over North Raccoon River Lake City, IA Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge, Spring St. Chippewa Falls, WI Marsh,James B., NRHP-listed
• Miller Ree Creek Bridge, W edge of Miller Miller, SD Marsh,James B., NRHP-listed
• Mine Creek Bridge, E of Mound City Mound City, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Neosho River Bridge, E of Hartford Hartford, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Pottawatomie Creek Bridge, FAS 1604 Osawatomie, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Rockwell City Bridge, 270th St. over unnamed stream Rockwell City, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Soden's Grove Bridge, KS 57/99 Emporia, KS Marsh,James Barney, NRHP-listed
• Squaw Creek Bridge, 120th St. and V Ave. over Squaw Cr. Ridgeport, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed
• Squaw Creek Bridge 2, 110th St. and V Ave. over Squaw Cr. Ridgeport, IA Marsh, James B., NRHP-listed

See also

• Brush Creek Bridge – Last Marsh arch bridge on Route 66

References

Further reading

• John Mack Bridge – James B Marsh bio included
• Valley City Times Record – Article containing bio info
• U.S. Patent 1,035,026
• U.S. Patent 1,388,584
• James Barney Marsh II narrative

External links

• Cotter Bridge – Six-span rainbow arch bridge