Old Timberville bridge makes way for new; served over 50 years

Original structure built by popular subscription and county aid;

Construction began in 1884 and was completed in 1885;

Many interesting incidents recounted.

The court ordered that the contract for the bridge and the pier abutments could be let separately if it was thought best to do so. Contract for both was given to Robert N. Bruce. David Zigler was made treasurer to handle the moneys subscribed locally.

The bridge was to be three hundred twenty feet in length, with inside lateral clearance of 18 feet.

By Dec. 1884, the bridge was finished, inspected and accepted. Occasional orders are recorded for the payment of various sums to complete the amount appropriated by the county. Samuel Sterling was treasurer of Rockingham County at that time. In 1885, new problems arose in connection with the bridge. It had been built above high water and now it was necessary to construct approaches before it was usable.

The old ford was still being used about one year after its completion before approaches were built so that traffic could use the bridge.

Local subscriptions were exhausted. With fear and trembling the local committee again went to the Board of Supervisors and the Court for the funds to finish the job which they had undertaken. Their failures are not recorded; but on Oct. 22, 1885, three days after the death of William G. Thompson,William G. Thompson (1799-1885) was a prominent merchant and landowner of Timberville in the nineteenth century. “The former names of [Timberville] were Fort Run, Williamsport, Thompsons Store, and Riddles tavern, When the town was known as Williamsport, the river evidently was used to move materials and marketable goods down the river. When William G. Thompson became a major merchant of the town, the name changed to Thompsons Store. The name was then changed to Riddles Tavern about 1850.”—Beverly L. Garber, Timberville, The Early Years, 1993, p. 1. Hon. George R. Calvert then presiding as judge of the county court, granted a petition that three hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated by the county for making the fills or approaches at either side of the bridge. In this order it was definitely stipulated that it was made on the expressed condition that no further application be made to the county whatsoever for a further appropriation in connection with said bridge. A further expressed condition was that the citizens of the community shall secure sufficient funds if necessary to complete said bridge and approached thereto in all respects whatsoever. The clerk was ordered to certify this action of the court to the Board of Supervisors. This ended the last legal battle for the the bridge built across the Shenandoah River at Timberville in 1884 and which is now only a memory.

The lumber for its construction was cut and sawed from the land of Samuel A. RymanSamuel A. Ryman (1838-1906) was the son of Levi Ryman and Annie Zirkle Ryman. and Anderson WillWilliam Anderson Will (1840-1903) was the son of George Will and Anna Bare Will of Timberville. Around 1885 Anderson Will and his family moved to Harvey County, Kansas. Anderson's sister was Elenora Will Ryman, wife of Samuel A. Ryman. about two miles west of Timberville. It was first quality pine. Rock for the pier and abutments was quarried at a point near Cold Spring about one half mile north of Broadway. J. J. EstepJohn J. Estep (1824-1906) and Michael ZirkleJoseph Michael Zirkle (1846-1914) of near Forestville, Va., were in charge of this part of the construction. Solon Zirkle,Solon Peter H. Zirkle (1850-1933) a brother, was employed as a carpenter.

An interesting sidelight appeared when it was discovered that the contract for the construction which was written by the late Gen. John E. Roller stated that the base for the pier should go eleven inches below the bed of the stream. When some folks contended that the foundation for the pier was not sufficiently deep it was pointed out that it had been placed far below the the distance called for in the contract. The inches were plainly a typographical error and the contractor ignored it knowing it to be an error. It was placed more than eleven feet below the bed of the stream in pine logs laid crosswide. A piling used in the basing of one of the new piers driven near the point of the old pier went to a depth of one hundred and three feet before striking a solid bottom.

The wing walls of the approaches were constructed for and built under the supervision of Martin Welsh and William Orebaugh.This may be William H. Orebaugh (1847-1928), the son of Solomon Orebaugh and Barbara Dellinger Orebaugh. This family lived in the vicinity of County Line northwest of Timberville. Following their completion local citizens were invited to haul anything available that would serve as filler to build up the approaches within these walls that traffic could use the bridge.

It was when these fills were almost completed that the late Jacob Funkhouser of Orkney Springs, then employed on the E. M. MinnickEzra Monroe Minnick (1865-1939) farm several miles north of here, was advised after dumping a load of filler from his wagon that he could proceed to the other end of the bridge to turn around. Thus he became the first man to cross the bridge with a team of horses and wagon. A short time before this David J. Driver on his favorite riding horse, “Old Joe,” was the first man to ride across the bridge.

Several weeks ago just as a cement mixture was being moved into the old bridge, Robert Orebaugh driving a trailer truck belonging to Gorman Gordon, signaled for a passage way and became the last man to drive over the old structure. When he had passed, traffic over the the bridge was closed forever.

Repairs were made from time to time as they were needed. Not so many years after it had been opened, a Farr Scott traction engine owned and driven by Joseph MinnickJoseph F. Minnick (1859-1936) in passing over it broke a small hole in the floor. A crowd had gathered to see if the bridge could stand the load. After this incident it was decided that the floor was too weak and and extra set of floor beams were planed under the floor. Occasional repairs were made. Several floors were added to replace those worn out. Additional beams were placed in the arches to keep them from buckling. Fillers were placed between the ends of the timbers of the arches to compensate for the shrinkage of the wood, which caused a slight sag of the arches.

Many are the stories that could be written around the old bridge if they could be told. Many men identified with its early history have long since passed to their reward, and their bodies carried to their last resting place over it. Many souvenirs have been carefully tucked away as mute evidence of the part it played in the lives of men and women who passed between its walls from day to day.

Before the town placed lights in its stygian darkness was the cause of many bumpings together by pedestrians and those who rode or drove without lights. The speed of travel was very slow and no casualties were reported.

When the State took over this road the old bridge became the property of the state and is being hauled to a point near Harrisonburg to be used by it for various purposes as such timber is needed.

During horse and buggy days its walls were plastered with sale bills and advertisements of all kinds. Of late years these have all disappeared since the speed of travel makes it impossible for them to be read. There is scarcely a home anywhere in this section where pictures of the old structure are not on the wall or tucked away carefully for framing or enlargement. Like an old friend that has passed away: its memory lingers in the hearts of them that are left behind.

For many of the local events used in this article we are greatly indebted to W. L. Rife, William H. Garber,William Henry Garber (1864-1946) was the son of Martin Garber and Elizabeth Wine Garber. A. J. LokeyAbraham J. Lokey (1854-1941) was the son of John Lokey and Leannah Brock Lokey. Abraham was married to Lydia A. “Lillie” Will Lokey (1859-1943), daughter of Lewis Will and Sarah Ann Kerlin Will. and others.

At noon on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1938 the last remaining pieces of timber of the old covered wooden bridge which for more than half a century carried traffic across the Shenandoah River at this point, toppled and fell to the bed of the river beneath leaving the old landmark only a memory.

For several weeks workmen had been removing it to make way for the new bridge to be constructed, with a slight change of position, on the site of the old one. It's disappearance brings to many of our citizens, especially the older ones, a feeling somewhat akin to the loss of an old friend. It was built in 1884 and has since it's completion in 1885 occupied a rather prominent place in the lives of those living in this section of the country. Floods and fires had threatened it, but it stood firm through all of these until such a time when modern traffic demanded a more substantial and commodious structure.

It's early history reads much like a romance. It became a reality through the sacrifices and untiring efforts of a number of our fathers and grandfathers led by the indomitable spirit of William G. Thompson, whose death occurred Oct. 19, 1885. He did not live to see the full fruit of his labors in this connection, but his value as a citizen did not go unrecognized by those of his day, and upon his grave stone they had inscribed, “A well spent life crowned with wisdom and integrity”. His remains lie buried in the cemetery here, the land for which he donated.

For quite some time prior to 1884 the river at this point was forded in crossing since several bridges scarcely worthy of the name in the modern sense, were washed away.“During the years five bridges have been built over the river. The dates of the first and second bridge are unknown. The third was built in 1840 and washed away in 1843. Until 1884, when a covered bridge was built many had to ford the river to cross. The present bridge was constructed in 1938.”—Timberville, The Early Days, p. 1. William G. Thompson at that time was one of the most prominent citizens of this place and the largest land owner of this section. He led the movement for a bridge and his persistent efforts in this direction were finally crowned with success, despite his advanced age of 83.

According to the records of the Board of Supervisors, he with other interested citizens appeared before that body early in 1883 with a petition for the erection of a bridge across the Shenandoah River at Timberville. The matter was tabled for further consideration. The Board of Supervisors at that time was composed of: James M. Weaver—Stonewall district; Solomon Burtner—Ashby district; Peter W. Reherd—Central district; and Milton Taylor—Plains district, who resided near Mechanicsville in property now owned by William Bowman.

A meeting of this board in April 1883 went on record as against any further appropriation at that time. The vote stood as follows: Against, John F. Craun, J. M. Weaver and Peter W. Reherd. For: John Acker and Milton Taylor. Solomon Burtner succeeded John F. Craun.

On June 6, 1883, William G. Thompson and others again appeared before the board with counsel and again urged that their petition be given consideration. The record of that meeting closed with these words: “The board having heard the evidence adduced doth take time to consider”.

Some good work must have been done between this meeting and another on July 23rd, 1883, when the County Court certified an allowance to the Board of Supervisors of $3000 upon the petition of William G. Thompson and others, for the construction of a bridge across the Shenandoah River at Timberville. Fifteen hundred dollars was to be paid out of the 1883 levy and fifteen hundred dollars out of the levy of 1884. The Board of Supervisors accepted this allowance with the following recorded vote. Ayes: Milton Taylor, Solomon Burtner and J. M. Weaver. Noes: Peter W. Rehard and John Acker. At the session of the Rockingham County Court of Aug. 28, 1883, Judge Robert Johnson presiding, Mr. P. R. Dandridge was ordered to make a survey of the premises and recommend to the court such work as may be necessary to make a permanent and substantial bridge and do further recommend letting such bridge to contract if thought advisable.

The Engineering Department of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Co. furnished plans for the bridge free of charge, and at the December term of the court, 1883, it was ordered that these plans be approved. It was further ordered that William F. Bowers, John H. Frank and Jacob F. Neff, the same being Road Commissioners of Plains, Central and Linville districts, do advertise for and receive proposals for a contract for building said bridge.

It was also ordered that Samuel H. MyersSamuel H. Myers (1832-1897) and Erasmus R. NeffErasmus R. Neff (1839-1921) was the son of Jacob Kauffman Neff and Mary Frances Lichliter Neff. Erasmus Neff was a Corporal in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. be associated with said commissioners as representatives of the persons who have subscribed towards the building of the bridge. The court further ordered that the services of Mr. Joseph Andrews may also be secured, and if necessary the engineer who prepared the plans.

On Feb. 2, 1884, a contract was made with Robert N. Bruce of Sperryville, Va., for the building of the bridge, and the contract was called for completion by Dec. 1, 1884. The cost of the bridge was approximately $6,000.00. The accepted bid of R. W. Moore of Staunton, Va., son of the late N. C. Moore of New Market, Va., for the new bridge and adjacent grading was $57,424.25. One half of this $6,000 was raised locally by private subscription. The paper bearing these subscriptions was supposed to have been given into the custody of the Court for safe keeping, but a search for it thus far failed to reveal its whereabouts. Quite likely it was never returned to the court on account of some delinquents thought collectible and rests either in ashes or in some garret with old papers once the property of some of the local committee. Failure to locate it is much regretted.

A local committee composed of William A. Pence, David Zigler, Daniel Zigler, B. F. Strickler, S. C. Smucker, C. E. Fahrney, D. M. Beam and J. A. Roller was appointed to observe the construction and to report from time to time the progress being made. D. M. Beam, J. A. Roller, and David Zigler were appointed to an executive committee to report the findings to the court that it may act intelligently, and properly discharge its duties. All were to serve without compensation.

The land necessary for its construction was donated by David and Daniel Zigler and B. F. Strickler.

In looking over the old files of the Valley for the year 1884, we find a number of interesting references to the matter of construction and letting of the contract, but nothing after the middle of the spring nor any reference to the completion of the project and the bridge being thrown open to traffic. In those days they did not have much ceremony about such matters apparently. We reprint for following references:

January 4, 1884—“The commissioners, properly authorized, will receive at the clerk's office in Harrisonburg, sealed proposals for the construction of a bridge across the North Shenandoah River at Timberville, Va., on the 13th of January will open and consider the said proposals, and let the bridge to contract. Rockingham County has appropriated $3,000 and the citizens of the community $2,000. The contract must me within the aggregate of these sums.”

January 25, 1884—“We learn that a committee appointed to let out the contract for the construction of a good, substantial bridge over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Timberville, Rocking County, Va., awarded to R. N. Bruce, Esq., of Sperryville, Rappahannock County, Va. He is regarded as an experienced workman, having spent years in that branch of architecture. The cost of the bridge will, we are informed, be between $4,000 and $5,000. It will be a great convenience to the country.”

May 9, 1884 (“Timberville Items”)—“Quite a number of workmen is now engaged on the abutments of the new bridge; also on the new storehouse of Roller, Arehart & Co.”