Mahned Bridge

The Mahned Bridge was constructed in 1903 and spans the Leaf River in Perry County, Mississippi. Around 1980, the bridge was removed from service and access was terminated.^[3] The bridge was declared a Mississippi Landmark in 1996^[2] and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.^[1]

Mahned Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Mississippi Landmark
Underside of camelback truss in 2014
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Nearest city	New Augusta, Mississippi
Coordinates	31°13′37″N 89°5′15″W
Built	1903
Built by	Chicago Bridge and Iron Company
Architectural style	Camelback & Pratt through truss
NRHP reference No.	97001379
USMS No.	111-NAU-5002-NR-ML
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 24, 1997[1]
Designated USMS	April 30, 1996[2]

History

The Mahned Bridge was constructed by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company as a prefabricated, one lane, iron truss structure.^[3] Completed in 1903, the bridge was one of the first to span the Leaf River in south Mississippi. The bridge derives its name from the nearby rural community of Mahned.^[4]

Description

Two iron trusses, Camelback and Pratt, comprise the main structure and are positioned on metal caissons filled with concrete.^[3] Overall length of the two truss spans is 335 feet (102 m). The deck was composed of wooden planking 18 feet (5.5 m) wide, but the deck was removed after the bridge was closed.

Notoriety

The remote location of Mahned Bridge, several miles from the small town of New Augusta, made it a favorite gathering spot among college and high school students for star gazing and other activities. In September 1993, the vehicle of Angela Freeman, age 17, was found abandoned at Mahned Bridge. Freeman was missing, and the investigation into her disappearance was never solved.^[5]

In May 1995, the north end of Mahned Bridge was determined to be the scene of the abduction and murder of William Hatcher, age 27, and Robbie Bond, age 21.^[6] The suspect in the Hatcher and Bond murders was subsequently convicted.^[7]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. "Mississippi Landmarks" (PDF). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
3. Mahned Bridge National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Retrieved 2014-11-09
4. Mahned, Mississippi Retrieved 2014-11-09
5. "Angela Lee Freeman – The Charley Project". Retrieved 2019-03-31.
6. Brothers, cousin held in killings of three people, The Tuscaloosa News (May 21, 1995) Retrieved 2014-11-09
7. Kenneth Moody Loses Appeal in the State Supreme Court Retrieved 2014-11-09