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Rector Road Bridge Registration FormNPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Registration Form m RECEIVED 2280 DEC 2 3 20II fitiilSitHOFHISTOPFoum (Expires 5/31/2012) 1. NAME OF PROPERTY HISTORIC NAME: Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property) OTHER NAME/SITE NUMBER: Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek 2. LOCATION STREET & NUMBER: 7501 Teasloy Lane CITY OR TOWN: Denton STATE: Texas CODE: TX COUNTY: Denton • NOT FOR PUBLICATION • VICINITY C0DE:121 ZIPCODE: 76210 3. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this B nomination • request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property 0 meets • does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant • nationally • statewide EI locally. (• See continuation sheet for addrtional comments.) Signature of certifying official / Tit Texas Historical Commia^fbn Slate Historic Preservation Officer Date State or Federal agency / bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property • meets • does not meet the National Register criteria. (• See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency / bureau or Tribal Govemment 4. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CERTIFICATION I hereby Olrtify that the property is: I entered in the National Register • See continuation sheet. • determined eligible for the National Register • See continuation sheet. • deteonined not eligible for the Clonal Register. • rffrioveti from the National Register • See continuation sheet. ' other, explain • See continuation sheet. Sjghatureof the Keeper ; uui IUI lUdliui I icci. J- Additional Documentation Approvea Date of Action USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Fomi Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property), Denton. Denton County, Texas Page 2 5. CLASSIFICATION OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY private X public - Local public - State public - Federal CATEGORY OF PROPERTY building(s) district site X structure object NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY contributing noncontributing 0 0 buildings 0 0 sites 1 0 stmctures 0 0 objects 1 0 total NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES PREVIOUSLY LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER: NAME OF RELATED MULTIPLE PROPERTY LISTING: Historic Bridges of Texas MPS 6. FUNCTION OR USE HISTORIC FUNCTIONS: TRANSPORTATION/Road-related (vehicular) = bridge CURRENT FUNCTIONS: TRANSPORTATION/Road-related (pedestrian) = bridge 7. DESCRIPTION ARCHITECTURAL CLASSIFICATION: Other. Pratt through-tnjss bridge iViATERlALS: FOUNDATION CONCRETE (piers and bents) WALLS ROOF OTHER METAL/steel (superstructure) NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION (see page 5) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No 102441018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section 7 Page 5 Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property) Denton, Denton County, Texas The Rector Road Bridge is a 5-panel, piimed Pratt through-tmss with an I-beam approach seated on braced metal-caisson piers and abutments with metal backing. The stmctural members are light which would facilitate transportation from the source of fabrication to the site and make erection easy with modest equipment. When erected, it had the capacity to carry rural wagon loads, but it currently carries pedestrian traffic. The 1908 Rector Road Bridge (formerly at Clear Creek, near Sanger) was relocated to John Guyer High School at 7501 Teasley Lane in Denton, Denton County, Texas, in April 2005. The bridge features 3 spans (including 2 short approach spans) with a primary span length of 80 feet and a total length of 112 feet. The roadway occupies the fiill width of the 11.9-foot-wide deck. The endposts and top-chord members were fabricated from a pair of channels, with cover plate and battens riveted together. Two pairs of laced angles provide the verticals. A pair of eyebars supply each set of diagonals. An adjustable round rod serves as a counter-brace in one of the more-central panels. The tmsses carry braced-A portal stmts. Rolled-I floor-beams hang from the lower pins. Adjustable, round-rods provide the lower and the upper lateral braces. The floor-beams carry mns of I-beam stringers which, in tum, support the concrete riding surface. The bridge was built in 1907-1908 by the Austin Brothers Company of Dallas, Texas. Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes from August 26, 1907 (Book F, 620) recorded the action of awarding the contract to Austin Brothers for the bridge, to be built 2V2 miles southeast of the town of Sanger. The cost was $ 1,664, with $ 1,200 of the cost donated by the citizens of "Sanger and vicinity." Figure: Cross-section of Rector Road Bridge (James E. M. Stewart, P.E., Churchville, NY). No scale. USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Fonm Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property), Denton, Denton County, Texas Page 3 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE APPLICABLE NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. CRITERIA CONSIDERATIONS: B AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE: Engineering PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1907-1908 SIGNIFICANT DATES: 1907-1908 SIGNIFICANT PERSON: N/A CULTURAL AFFILIATION: N/A ARCHITECT/BUILDER: Austin Brothers (Dallas, Texas) NARRATIVE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (see page 6). 9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY (see page 7) PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION ON FILE (NPS): _ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested, x previously listed in the National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # PRIMARY LOCATION OF ADDITIONAL DATA: X State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission) X Other state agency (Texas Department of Transportation) _ Federal agency X Local government (Denton County Commissioner Court minutes) _ University _ Other ~ Specify Repository: NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No 102441018 iS-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Races Continuation Sheet Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property) Section 8 Page 6 Denton, Denton County, Texas Statement of Significance The 1908 Rector Road Bridge (formerly at Clear Creek, near Sanger) relocated to John Guyer High School at 7501 Teasley Lane in Denton, Denton County, Texas, is a 5-panel, pinned Pratt through-tmss bridge, and serves as a rare example of its type in Denton County. Because of its stmctural integrity and riveted pin constmction, Rector Road Bridge serves as a rare local example of a Pratt through-tmss, and is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, under Criterion C, in the area of Engineering, at the local level of significance. The property meets Criterion Consideration B because the bridge retains its character-defining features and has been relocated to an appropriate setting. The citizens of Sanger bore the costs of erecting the Rector Road Bridge, which provided an important passage in the vicinity of Sanger, and facilitated growth and development in north Denton County. On February 19, 1908, the Rector Road Bridge was accepted by the Commissioners and they approved payment to Austin Brothers (Book G, 53-54; page 8- 7,8). The total payment was for $1,894, which included $230 for a bridge built over the slough near the Rector Road Bridge. Frank and George Austin were the Atlanta and Dallas agents of the George E. King Bridge Company in the 1890s. They had gotten their start in 1889 when George Austin moved to Dallas as an agent for the George E. King Bridge Co. of Des Moines, IA. The brothers started fabricating and installing steel tmss bridges for counties across Texas and Georgia, and gradually expanded their expertise. The company they founded in still in operation today with over 6,000 employees, completing projects in almost every type of civil, commercial and industrial constmction. More than 200 Austin Brothers-built, pre-World War II steel tmss bridges are still in service on the back roads of Texas.' Austin Bridge Co. of Dallas was the only major Texas bridge fabricator prior to the creation of the Texas Highway Department in 1917. Af^er working for the George E. King Bridge Co,, of Des Moines, Iowa, the Austin Brothers severed their connection with George E. King Bridge Company and began to make plans to open their own bridge fabricating business. Finally, in 1910, the company purchased property in Dallas and buih a small fabrication plant for bridge and building components." The Pratt truss, p)atented in 1844 by Thomas and Caleb Pratt, made the vertical members stand in compression and the diagonals in tension, a reversal of the popular constmction designs of the day. Although originally constmcted in wood and iron, the Pratt was quickly modified for all iron and steel constmction, becoming the predominant tmss type of the 19"' Century. By the end of the 1880s, the Pratt design had largely replaced the tubular arch as the standard tmss type for short to intermediate spans. By this time, bridge fabricators were manufacturing Pratts in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, principally in short to intermediate span lengths (30 to 150 feet). The straightforward design, considerable strength and east of erection made the Pratt the predominant tmss type for American roadways during the late 19"" and early 20' centuries. The Pratt quickly gained acceptance through Texas as the preferred type for short to intermediate spans, reaching its heyday of popularity from 1895 to 1910. ^ Built a few years after the organization of the Texas Highway Department at a time when mral counties opted to build economical truss bridges, the Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek is a rare local example of what was once a common bridge type in Denton County. The bridge continues to retain a high degree of integrity after relocation in 2005 to John Guyer High School in Denton, Texas. The proposal to move the bridge was approved by the NPS in 2004. ' Interview with Engineer James E. M. Stewart of Churchville, NY, March 2003. ^Ibid,p.2\. ' Historic Bridges of Texas, 1866-J 945, pp. 8, 11. USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property), Denton, Denton County, Texas Page 4 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF PROPERTY: less than one acre UTM REFERENCES 1. Zone 14 Easting 677027 Northing 3668041 VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: The nomination encompasses the complete structure, including all of the superstmcture. The bridge is located near the center of the John Guyer High School campus, at 7501 Teasley Lane in Denton, Texas. BOUNDARY JUSTIRCATION: The boundary includes all components of the bridge superstructure and substmcture. 11 • FORM PREPARED BY NAME/TITLE: Gregory Smith, based on 2003 nomination by Rynell Novak ORGANIZATION: Texas Historical Commission DATE: December 7, 2011 STREET & NUMBER: PO Box 12276 TELEPHONE: (512)463-6013 CITY OR TOWN: Austin STATE: Texas ZIPCODE: 78711 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION CONTINUATION SHEETS MAPS (see site plan, page 8) PHOTOGRAPHS (see page 7) ADDITIONAL ITEMS NA PROPERTY OWNER NAME: Denton Independent School District STREET & NUMBER: 1307 N. Locust CITY OR TOWN: Denton STATE: Texas TELEPHONE: 940-369-0000 ZIPCODE: 76201 NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property) Sections 9, Photo Page 7 Denton, Denton County, Texas Bibliography Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes, Book F, 620, August 26, 1907 (page 8-6) Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes, Book G, 53-54, February 19, 1908 (page 8-7,8) Historic Bridges of Texas, 1866-1945 Informal Contacts with several noted bridge historians, including Dr. James Cooper, Greencastle, IN; Eric DeLony, HAER, Washington, DC; Allan King Sloan, Lexington, MA; S. Patrick Sparks, P.E., Pflugerville, TX; and James E. M. Stewart, P.E., Churchville, NY. Photo Log Rector Road Bridge 7501 Teasley Lane. Denton, Texas Photographed October 2011 by Rachel Crowe Photo 1 Down bridge path trom east side Camera facing southwest Photo 2 Angled shot of bridge from east side Camera facing west Photo 3 Angled shot of bridge from west side Camera facing east Photo 4 Angled shot of bridge, east side in drainage Camera facing northwest NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Sections Plan Page 8 Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property) Denton, Denton County, Texas Current site plan, indicating location of Rector Road Bridge No Scale I lil M) . Ml II IIM. .III! IHIol M • M. »\KV .|1>K1 Mil 1 ^ - Mill I Ih Mil l)s . I. \s WI I I III MIS I \Sk HM IIK\ IIKIIM,! 1 IKM \ \l I MldSI IK MIC 1S\ I Ki <M I >< >l •< 11 > 11II I ,K \SS III lulls II \Sin AMI I'AKklM. I OI \ HXtk (.III V must k III II I l> X I I (IIS \l II KS MIVI SHI II K I (HMIliS III IIISIIIIK MiK\ ( Kl I k livnisi ' it ' )i siiis i\ iftrid UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION PROPERTY NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: Rector Road Bridge Historic Bridges of Texas MPS STATE Sc COUNTY TEXAS, Denton 12/23/11 DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 03001418 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 2/07/12 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: OTHER: N PDIL: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER V AC( ACCEPT N RETURN REJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS 2,' 3 / ^ DATE Entered i« The Natlo^l mister Historic Places Additional Documentation Approved RECOM./CRITg^I REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE^ DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS. TO: FROM: RE: DATE: TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION real places telling real stori^ RECEIVED 2280 DEC 2 3 2011 NAT. REGISTER Of HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK <;FR\/irP Linda McClelland National Park Sen/ice National Register of Historic Places 1201 Eye Street, NW (2280) Washington , DC 20005 Gregory Smith Texas Historical Commission Rector Road Bridge (amendment, relocated property), Denton County, Texas December 19, 2011 The following materials regarding the Rector Road Bridge are submitted: X Original National Register of Historic Places fonn - AMENDED NOMINATION Resubmitted nomination Multiple Property Documentation form _ Resubmitted fomri X Photographs printed from digital files X Gold CD with TIFF photograph files Photographs printed from negatives X USGS map Correspondence Other: COMMENTS: SHPO requests substantive review (cover letter from SHPO attactied) The enclosed owner objections (do ) (do not ) constitute a majority of property owners Other: RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR 'JON T HANSEN, CHAIRMAN • MARK WOLFE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR P.O. BOX 12276 •AUSTIN, TEXAS • 78711-2276 • P 512.463.6100 • F 512.475.4872 • TDD 1.800.735.2989 • www.ttic.state.tx.us TO: TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Carol Shull, Keeper National Register of Historic Places Rick Perry • Govemor John L. Nau, HI • Chairman F. La\. ^rence Oaks • Executive Director The State Agency for Historic Preservation FROM: Gregory W. Smith, National Register Coordinator Texas Historical Commission RE: Rector Road Bridge, Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas (Proposal to Move) DATE: May 21, 2004 The following materials are submitted regarding: Rector Road Bridge, Denton County, Texas Original National Register of Historic Places form _ Resubmitted nomination Multiple Property nomination form Photographs USGS map Correspondence Other: PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE LISTED STRUCTURE COMMENTS: Substantive review requested The enclosed owner objections (do Other (do not ) constitute a majority of property owners TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION The State Agency for Historic Presenation RICK PERRY, GOVER.NOR JOHN L. NAU, III, CHAIR.V1AN F. LA\>raRENCE OAKS. EXECUTTVE DIRECTOR May 21, 2004 Ms. Carol Shull Keeper, National Register of Historic Places National Park Service 1201 Eye Street N.W. 8* Floor Washington, DC 20005 RE: Rector Road Bridge, Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas (Proposal to Move) Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed is a report outlining a proposal to move a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places (Rector Road Bridge, Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas; NR listed January 14, 2004). This documentation was submitted by Rynell Novak, Ph.D., to fulfill the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act regarding the relocation of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places [36 CFR 60.14 (b)]. The bridge is owned by the county and is slated to be replaced by the Texas Department of Transportation (TexDOT) because it is structurally deficient and no longer meets safety standards. The county plans to donate the bridge to the Denton Independent School District (ISD). On January 17, 2004, the Texas State Board of Review approved the moving of the Rector Road Bridge approximately 16.7 miles south, to the site of the John H. Guyer High School (under construction) at 7501 Teasley Road, on the south side of Denton, Texas. There are no known historic properties (including archeological sites) at the proposed relocation site. Attached is a letter from Nita Thurman, Chair of the Archeology Committee of Denton County Historical Commission, attesting to the lack of such sites. The project is subject to Review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. TexDOT will initiate review this summer; discovery of archeological deposits in the project area after work commences would require further review by the Texas Historical Commission. Please review the enclosed documents and determine if the bridge would retain enough integrity to remain listed in the National Register of Historic Places if it were to be relocated as proposed. If you have any questions or comments, you may contact National Register Coordinator Gregory Smith at (512) 452-4433 or greg.smith@thc.state.tx.us. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerel ^awerence' Executive Director P.O. BOX 122^6 • AUSTIN, TX 78711-2276 • 512/463-6100 • FAX 512/475-4872 • TDD 1-800/735-2989 www.thc.state.tx.us Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek (Proposal to Move) Approximately 2.5 miles SE of Sanger Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas 76266 PREPARED BY Rynell Novak, Ph.D. For the Denton Coimty Historical Commission now. Hickory Denton, Texas 76201 PROPERTY OWNER Current: Denton County (Commissioners Court) now. Hickory Denton, Texas 76201 After proposed transfer of ownership: Denton Independent School District 1307 N. Locust Denton, Texas 76201 Revised May 21, 2004 NPS Form 10-900-a (3-861 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section Figure Page 2 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Applicable federal regulations regarding the relocation of properties listed in the NRHP 36 CFR PART 60 (NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES) s 60.14 (b) Relocating properties listed in the National Register. (1) Properties listed in the National Register should be moved only when there is no feasible alternative for preservation. When a property is moved, every effort should be made to reestablish its historic orientation, immediate setting, and general environment. (2) If it is proposed that a property listed in the National Register be moved and the State Historic Preservation Officer, Federal agency for a property under Federal ownership or control, or person or local govemment where there is no approved State Historic Preservation Program, wishes the property to remain in the National Register during and after the move, the State Historic Preservation Officer or Federal Preservation Officer having ownership or control or person or local govemment where there is no approved State Historic Preservation Program, shall submit documentation to NPS prior to the move. The documentation shall discuss: (i) The reasons for the move; (ii) The effect on the property's historical integrity; (iii) The new setting and general environment of the proposed site, including evidence that the proposed site does not possess historical or archeological significance that would be adversely affected by the intrusion of the property; and (iv) Photographs showing the proposed location. Proposal to Relocate the Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Denton County, Texas (NR 2004) Denton County, Texas, is committed to saving its historic bridges. Through the work of the Denton County Commissioners Court, the Denton County Historical Commission, including Mrs. Mildred Hawk, Chairman of the Historic Bridges and Structures Committee of the DCHC, and other interesteo citizens, historic truss bridges throughout the county are being saved in place whenever possible, or relocated to other sites within the county where they can be preserved and used for pedestrian and/or equestrian traffic. Through the efforts of individuals and the actions of the Commissioners Court, interested parties have been identified to receive the bridges. The actions of the Commissioners Court included letters from County Judge Mary Hom to the cities and school districts within the county, asking about their interest in acquiring one of the bridges for their use. The Denton Independent School District (DISD) is in the process of building a third high school (the John H. Guyer High School) at 7501 Teasley Lane in south Denton. The site has approximately 80 acres of land, including a section through the middle of the site that is an Environmentally Sensitive Area (E.S.A.). In coordination with FEMA, it was determined that the ESA could be spanned by a bridge, and the DISD expressed an interest in relocating a historic bridge to the property. The Rector Road Bridge is of sufficient size to serve as a pedestrian bridge connecting two sections of the campus. NPS Form 10-900-a 18-861 OMB Approval No. 1024 0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 3 Reel IT Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas When the Rector Road bridge is relocated, it will be less than a mile from the Old Alton Bridge (NR 1988), preserved in place as part of a pedestrian/equestrian trail. The DCHC will likely develop a trail to encourage the public to see the two historic bridges, as well as the site of Old Alton which served as the Denton County seat from 1850-1857. Documentation addressing 36 CFR PART 60.14 (b) (i) Reasons for the move The Pratt through truss bridge on Rector Road over Clear Creek, just southeast of the town of Sanger, is slated to be removed because it is structurally deficient and no longer meets Te.xas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) standards. TxDOT will be remove the bridge, and replace it with a bridge meeting current standards for road carrying vehicular traffic. The historic bridge will be able to meet the needs of die school district as a pedestrian bridge. (ii) Effect on the property's historical integrity The entire Pratt through-tmss will be moved, and thus the bridge will retain integrity of materials, design, and workmanship, each aspect of integrity being essential for the bridge to retain its significance under Criterion C, in the area of Engineering, as a rare local example of a Pratt through-truss bridge (one of only two remaining in Denton County). The bridge will span a small creek. Mr. Curtis Martin, Director of Constructi'^n, reports that the setting will be much like the original location on Rector Road when the bridge is moved. The bridge will serve, however, not as part of a local road, but as a pedestrian walkway for the students to move from the academic area of the property to the athletic areas (see plan). (iii) Evidence that the proposed site does not possess historical or archeological signiricancc that would be adversely affected by the intrusion of the property The new setting carries no historical significance, and it has been determined that relocating the bridge will have no adverse archeological impact on the area. (See Attachment 2) (iv) Photographs showing the proposed location Photo 1 - Artist's Conception of Guyer High School Site (facing east). Note: ESA will not be cleared as depicted here Photo 2 - View from academic area toward athletic area (facing northeast). Bridge will be in area staked with ribbons going from left center to right Photo 3 - View from academic area toward athletic area (facing east). Bridge will be placed to left of row of hay bales; note trees on right which will be retained; dirt across span w ill be moved to base of bridge after relocation Photo 4 - View from athletic area toward academic buildings (facing southwest). Bridge will be to right of hay bales, between posts with colored ribbons Photo 5 - View from athletic area toward academic area (facing southwest). Photo 6 - View from athletic area toward academic area (facing west); showing ESA extending to right of bridge area NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024 0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 4 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo I - Artist's Conception of Guyer High School Site. NOTE: ESA will ne, be cleared as depicted here NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 5 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo 2 - View from academic area toward athletic area - bridge will be in area staked with red/white/blue ribbons going from left center to right; bridge will be over area where tall tree in center is now located NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 6 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo 3 - View from academic area toward athletic area - bridge will be placed to left of row of hay bales; note trees on right which will be retained; dirt across span will be moved to base of bridge after relocation NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 7 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo 4 - View from athletic area toward academic buildings - bridge will be to right of hay bales, between posts with colored ribbons NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 8 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanr 3r vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo 5 - View from athletic area toward academic area - better view of area where bridge is to be located NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Appro vol No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section Figure Page 9 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Photo 6 - View from athletic area toward academic area - showing ESA extending to right of bridge area NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Section Attachments Page 10 Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 - Bridge Summary Sheet, TxDOT ( four pages) Attachment 2 - Archeological Impact Statement Attachment 3 - Site Plan L2.01, Constmction Layout, Teasley Lane High School, DISD Attachment 4 - Site Plan L2.05, Planting Plan, Teasley Lane High School, DISD Texas Department of Transportation Summar/ j^.' BRIDGE SUMMARY SHEET ^r^-^-^l^. Bridge I D : Facility: Feature X'ed: Bridge Owner. 18-061-AA0165-001 Rector Rd Clear Creek 02 Company Name: Edwards & Kelcey signature. Selected Component Description and Rating: Inspection Rating Inventory Rating Operatir g Ratinq Inspecbon Date: 07/02/01 1085 H HS H HS Steel Stringer 6 16.5 16.5 23.9 23,9 Flcorbeam 6 4.4 3.9 8.5 7.6 Truss 1st Diagonal 4 4.6 3.0 10.4 6 7 Comments and/or Upgrade Recommendations (if applicable): Repair damaged vertical L3-U3 of east tmss. Add mbble riprap to south channel bank to control erosion. For upgrade: for temporary upgrade, replace concrete deck with timber planks and runners to reduce dead load. It would not be feasible to upgrade the bridge any further than this. Replacement recommended. Load Posting Limits for Present Condition (if applicable): Inventory 10.000 50C0 Operating lbs Gross lbs Tandem Ax!e lbs Axle Of Tandem Sign Code bs Gnsss lbs Tandem Axle lbs Axle or Tandem Sign Code V.EO/T LMT VSBGMT LMT units 1 AXLEC« TAM£M LBS •» I vveo-.T ; \ TAHX.\t AXLE I LBS. 3 cncss • LBS AXLSCR TA.VCeu 4 U«JT GROSS LBS I /LC.3 AXLE S Posting Recommendation: MAINTAIN CURRENT LOAD POSTING Previous Load Posting Recommendations: Observed Load Posting at Bridge: R12-2Tb R12-2TC R12-4Tb R12-4TC Material Needed - R12-2Tb - R12-2TC - R12-4Tb - R12^Tc - VV12-5 - Posts - Hardware Sets - Cecals 10 COO 5000 Sign Code Condition Rating Maintenance None lbs Gross lbs Tandem Axle lbs Axle or Tandem Advance Warning (optional) R12-2Tb R12-2TC R12^Tb R12-4TC Other (desc) 10 000 5CC0 Bridge Approach A. \ Bridge Approach None lbs Gross lbs Tandem Ax!e lbs Axle or Tande- Advance Warning (optional) A. Visible & Legible D. Improper Position B Obscured by Vegetation E .Damaged Beyond Repair C Sign Needs Cleaning F. Sign Down G. Sign Missing H. Sign & Post Missing J Clear Vegetation K. Clean Sign L Reposition Sign M. Reposition Sign & Post N None P. Replace Sign S Replace Sign & Pest Bridge Inspection Record District 18 County 067 Cont-Sec AA0165 Structure 001 Inspection So Route Rector Rd Description 3 SPAN (2-CONTINUOUS STEEL STRINGERS. 1 PART THROUGH TRUSS) ON STEEL SUBSTRUCTURE Inspector's signature S(even Lewis Date 2-Jul-0l • Not applicable Excellent condition 8 - Very good condition - no problems noted 7 - Good condition - some minor problems 6 - Satisfactory condition - minor deterioration of structural elements (limited) 5 - Fair condition - minor deterioration of structural elements (extensive) 4 • Poor condition - deterioration significantly affects structural capacity 3 - Serious condition - deterioration seriously affects structural capacity 2 - Critical condition - bridge should be closed ui]^ repaired ^ ' Failing condition - bridge closed but repairable <:i-{2^.,-^^ ^o'- Failed condition - bridge closed and beyond repair ^ ^t^^j'' STEVH>J E. LEWJS \ ••^.V 86497 Enter a rating for each element of each component The rating should equal or exceed the minimum rating listed to ttie left of each element. Component Ratrigs should equal trie lowest rating of arty element of the component Fully supportive comments are to be made hereon or on attachments for all ratings of 7 or below. Min. Deck (Item 58) Rating 1 Deck - Rating 6 1 C Main Members - Steel A 0 Main Members - Concrete N 0 Main Memiiers - Timlier N 6 Wearing Surface 6 1 0 Main Members - Connectioris 6 6 Joints, expansion. Open N 1 Floor System Memljers 6 6 Joints, expansion. Sealed N 1 Roor System Connections 6 6 Joints. Ottier N 5 Secondary Members 6 6 Drainage System 8 5 Secondary Members Connections 6 6 Cttfbs, Sidewalks & Parapets N 6 Expansion Bearings N 6 Median Barrier N 6 Fixed Bearings c 6 Railings 8 6 Steel Protective Coating 6 7 Railings Protective Coating 7 2 Other N 7 Delineations (curve markers) N Other N Component Rating 4 Comments: Comments t Deck surface has mao cracking and moderats scaling J Moderats imoact damage in lower chord of west truss L0-L5 2 Bndqe rail has miner surface rust Min. Superstructure (Item 59) Rating Moderate distortion on lower chord of east truss L2-t3 & L4-L5 . Minor impact damage to vertical L3-U3 of west truss and L2-U2. Ut-L . of east truss Severe impact damage and minor tear in vertical L2- U3 of east truss (see photol. . 2 All steel elements have moderate rust (up to 10% toss) 3 Fhorbeams have UP fo 3/4' dead load sag. District 13 County 061 Cont-Sec AA0165 Structure 001 Route Rector Rd Min. Comments: 1 South abutment cap has f dead toad sag Substructure (Item 60) Rating 0 Abutment Caps 6 1 0 Top slabs N 0 Above GrouTKJ 6 2 0 Bottom Slab Or Footings N 0 Below Ground or Foundation 6 2 0 Abutments & Intemnediate Supports N 5 Backwalls & WvigwaOs 6 2 5 Headwalts & Wngwalls N 0 Intermediates Supports Other N Caps - Concrete N Caps - Steel 6 Caps - Timber N Above Ground - Concrete N Above Ground - Steel 6 Above Ground - T»nb€r N At>ove Ground - Masonry N Bek}w Ground or Foundation 8 Collision Protection System N Steel Protective Coating 6 Component Rating _ 2 South abutment piles have been exposed (31 and baclr.vall is being undermined. 3 AS steel elements have moderate rust (up to 10% loss) Min. Channel (Item 61) Rating 0 Channel Banks 4 0 Channel Bed 6 5 Rip Rap. Toe Walls & Aprons N 5 Dikes N 5 Jetties N Other N Component Rating Comments. 1 South channel bank has moderate erosion exposing 3' of abutment piles and undermining badr.va/f Min. Culverts (Item 62) Rating Component Rating Comments Min. 0 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 Approaches (Item 65) Rating Embankments Embankment retaining Walls Slope Protection Roadway Relief Joints Drainage Guardfence Defineation Sight Distance Other Component Rating Comments 1 Southeast and soiAhwest embankments have moderate erosion. 2 Horizontal afignment limits sight distance Min. Miscellaneous Ratine Signs Illumination 7 Warning Devices 7 Utility Lines Other N ! 5_ N " Comments 10.000 lb gross. 5000 lb axle or tandem toad costing Denton County, 1 exas ; R£CTOB pn 33 20' I > I ! 1061-AA0165-0O2 061-AA0165-001 T' Cleor NICHOLSON RD NtCKLESON RO RECTCW RO 061-AAOl 87-001 \ l» t99T CfeLx)Tme. Sirrd .^Hu USA 061-AAOl86-00 Ij o I NICXL G?:= I Mag 14.C0 ' Wrvi Aim 74 tn "7 Scale 1:18,'H0 (at center) SCO Meters • L~ri! .Rcsd ^ State Roirte Water Denton Countv Historical Commission Dec. 5, 2003 Texas Historical Commission Mr. Gregory Smith P.O. 60X12276 Austin, TX 78711-2276 RE: Relocation of Rector Road Bridge Dear Mr. Smith: At the request of the Texas Historical Commission and Denton County Historical Commission, I have surveyed the site along Farm-to-Market 2181, also known as Teasley Lane, where one of Denton County's historic iron bridges is being relocated. The bridge is currently at Rector Road and Clear Creek and is being considered for recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. The new location will be the campus of a new public high school now under construction by the Denton Independent School District. The site where the bridge will be placed is in an environmentally sensitive area that includes a small creek, and possibly a spring, which the bridge will span. There is no known archeological site or historic site within this specific area that would be damaged by placement of the bridge. However, because the site is located in a geographical area that was one of the early settlements of Denton County, the creek and/or spnng could have been a source of water for early settlers and there is the possibility that artifacts might be turned up when the bridge is installed. We would urge the contractor who installs the bridge to notify the Denton County Historical Commission should any such artifacts be found. Sincerely, Nita Thurman Chairman, Archeology Committee Denton County Historical Commission cc: Curtis Martin, Director of Construction, Denton Independent School District Dr. Howard Smith, Chairman, DCHC Mrs. Mildred Hawk, Chairman, Historic Bridges and Structures Committee, DCHC MOW. Hickory, Denton, TX 76201 * First Floor, Courthouse-on-the-Square 940-349-2860 * FAX 940-349-2851 * A Tax-Exempt Governmental Agency -TEASkEY LANE UMC KMX H FQT HIS AflCHlTECTS VLK Architects IISICofparataDrtwWefit SuKe 300 Arini^ Tons 76006 >tT 633 1C0a CML GREG EDWARDS 1621 AMANDA COURT PONDm, Texas 76259 940 482-2906 . SrrEDEVBjOPfeBfT" IISICorponfeDr.We9lSiii2aa AfSnglon Teias 7B0O6 117 e« ei8 SmUCTURAL ISKU.0KaNSIWQ,INC. SANGER. TEXAS 782^ MO 458 - 7503 FEHllNHUtENSONiaMWf SUITE HOC. 80X103 12001 NORmcamBnesMHY DALLAS, Texas 75243 972 788-4222 O O X u X u X UJ z u a g X u U) o 1 i o a MCUJWH BSLEDMl 2222.01 ^L2.01 MS ARCHITECrS VLK Archiiecls H6i CorpvM Onve W«si Su.le 300 MnqK" Texas TeOOG 117 in IfiS On CHEG EDWARDS l(>?t AMANDA COURT "OKCtP Tt»as Ttbg Si'fc DtVELOPUENF Sdvn* Rom I Auoca:«s iiSiCapoMOt uta ijuTs Artngicn Texas 7600(3 SAr-iGF;» rEXAS762ijfi stii'c •IOO'BOX'IOJ '.: :c- -.iiii,.[f?=£i:wi DAiias 75JJ3 i OL 'V u O cc I in 1- o a —I o GH OHO in I h- LU Ul z o LA > o 111 z _i z Z AS MTO o 1-z LU UJ UJ Q o W fSQJ ICv CM) J* i-tET 2222.01 L2.05 4 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek NAME : MULTIPLE NAME: Historic Bridges of Texas MPS STATE Sc COUNTY: TEXAS, Camo] DATE RECEIVED: 12/04/03 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 1/01/04 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 03001418 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 12/16/03 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 1/17/04 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM OTHER: N PDIL: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: COMMENT WAIVER: N V/ACCEPT RETURN X N N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: REJECT /// ^If/^KYY, N N N in the RECOM./CRITERIA_ REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE_ DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: PROPOSED MOVE PROPERTY Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek NAME: MULTIPLE Historic Bridges of Texas MPS NAME: STATE Sc COUNTY: TEXAS, £fljneron Oe^'^'^'^ DATE RECEIVED: 6/14/04 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 7/28/04 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 03001418 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITERIA 4f(>^^Af^ ^^^^-^-^^^^V^' REVIEWER ^r ^^^-/ii'C^/jL^ DISCIPLINE ^L^^if^/}^^ TELEPHONE DATE "7~^ DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS. (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM 1. NAME OF PROPERT^ HISTORIC NAME: Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek OTHER NAME/SITE NUMBER: CSJ 0918-46-141; Local designation AAO165-001 2. LOCATION STREET & NUMBER: Approximately 2.5 miles SE of Sanger CITY OR TOWN: Sanger STATE:Texas CODE: TX COUNTY: Denton CODE: 05, NOT FOR PUBLICATION: N/A VICINITY: X ZIPCODE: 76266 3. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, 1 hereby certify that this (ji^nomination) ( request for determination of eligibility) meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property (_x_ meets) ( _ does not meet) the National Register criteria. 1 recommend that this property be considered significant ( _ nationally) ( _ statewide) ( x locally). ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of certifying official State Historic Preservation Officer. Texas Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau Date In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agenc\' and bureau 4. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CERTIFICATION I heraoy certify that this property is: _>J_ enti entered in the National Register _ See continuation sheet, determined eligible for the National Register Ignature cjt jne^>ieep _ See continuation sheet determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain): (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM 1. NAME OF PROPERTY HISTORIC NAME: Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek OTHER NAME/SITE NUMBER: CSJ 0918-46-141; Local designation AAO 165-001 2. LOCATION STREET & NUMBER: Approximately 2.5 miles SE of Sanger NOT FOR PUBLICATION: N/A CITY OR TOWN: Sanger VICINITY: X STATE: Texas CODE: TX COUNTY: Denton CODE: 121 ZIP CODE: 76266 3. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act. as amended, I hereby certify' that this (jc_nomination) ( request for determination of eligibility) meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property ( x_ meets) ( _ does not meet) the National Register criteria. I recommend that this^pepcrty be considered significant ( _ nationally) ( _ statewide) ( x locally). ( See continuation sheet for additional comments Signature of certifying official State Historic Preservation Officer. Texas Historical Commission ate State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CERTIFICATION I herebycertify that this property is entered in the National Register _ See continuation sheet, determined eligible for the National Register _ See continuation sheet determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain): USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Sanger vicinity, Denton County. Texas Page 2 5. CLASSIFICATION OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY: Public-local CATEGORY OF PROPERTY: Structure NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY: CONTRIBUTING I) 0 1 0 NONCONTRIBUTING 0 BUILDINGS 0 SITES 0 STRUCTURES 0 OBJECTS 1 0 TOTAL NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES PREVIOUSLY LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER: 0 NAME OF RELATED MULTIPLE PROPERTY LISTING: Historic Bridges of Texas MPS 6. FUNCTION OR USE HISTORIC FUNCTIONS: TRANSPORTATION/Road-related (vehicular) = bridge CURRENT FUNCTIONS: TRANSPORTATION/Road-related (vehicular) = bridge 7. DESCRIPTION ARCHITECTURAL CLASSIFICATION: Other: Pratt through-truss bridge MATERIALS: FOUNDATION CONCRETE (piers and bents) WALLS ROOF OTHER METAL/steel (superstructure) NARR.\TIVE DESCRIPTION (see continuation sheet 7-5). NPS Form 10-900-a 18-86) OMB Approval No. 1024 0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section 7 Page 5 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas The Rector Road Bridge over Clear Creek is a 5-panel, pinned Pratt through-truss with an I-beam approach seated on braced metal-caisson piers and abutments with metal backing. The structural members are light which would facilitate transportation from the source of fabrication to the site and make erection easy with modest equipment. When erected, it had the capacity to carry rural wagon loads, but it currently carries automobile traffic. The Rector Road Bridge is located 2.5 miles southeast of the town of Sanger in northem Denton County and .35 miles north of Nicholson Road. The bridge features 3 spans (including 2 short approach spans), with a primary span length of 80 feet and a total length of 112 feet. The roadway occupies the full width of the 11.9-foot-wide deck. The endposts and top-chord members were fabricated from a pair of channels, with cover plate and battens riveted together. Two pairs of laced angles provide the verticals. A pair of eyebars supply each set of diagonals. An adjustable round rod serves as a counter-brace in one of the more-central panels. The trusses carry braced-A portal struts. Rolled-1 floor-beams hang from the lower pins. Adjustable, round-rods provide the lower and the upper lateral braces. The floor-beams carry runs of I-beam stringers which, in turn, support the concrete riding surface. The Rector Road Bridge over Clear Creek was built in 1907-1908 by the Austin Brothers Company of Dallas, Texas. Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes from August 26, 1907 (Book F, 620) recorded the action of awarding the contract to Austin Brothers for the bridge, to be built 214 miles southeast of the town of Sanger. The cost was $ 1,664, with $1,200 of the cost donated by the citizens of "Sanger and vicinity." Although only one lane, the road is still used by postal and school vehicles, and others going or coming from the town of Sanger. Figure: Cross-section of Rector Road Bridge (James E. M. Stewart, P.E., Churchville, NY). No scale. - -r- "- - - / X X 1 -|lr- ^ z. • i USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Page 3 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE APPLICABLE NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA A PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BROAD PATTERNS OF OUR HISTORY. B PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIVES OF PERSONS SIGNIFICANT IN OUR PAST. X C PROPERTY EMBODIES THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OR REPRESENTS THE WORK OF A MASTER, OR POSSESSES HIGH ARTISTIC VALUE, OR REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT AND DISTINGUISHABLE ENTITY WHOSE COMPONENTS LACK INDIVIDUAL DISTINCTION. D PROPERTY HAS YIELDED, OR IS LIKELY TO YIELD, INFORMATION IMPORTANT IN PREHISTORY OR HISTORY. CRITERIA CONSIDERATIONS: N/A AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE: Engineering PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1907-1908 SIGNIFICANT DATES: 1907-1908 SIGNIFICANT PERSON: N/A CULTURAL AFFILIATION: N/A ARCHITECT/BUILDER: Austin Brothers (Dallas, Texas) NARRATIVE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (see continuation sheet 8-6). 9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY (see continuation sheet 9-7). PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION ON FILE (NPS): N/A _ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested. _ previously listed in the National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # PRIMARY LOCATION OF ADDITIONAL DATA: X State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission) X Other state agency (Texas Department of Transportation) _ Federal agency X Local govemment (Denton County Commissioner Court minutes) _ University _ Other — Specify Repository: NPS Form 10-900.3 OMB Approval No. 1024 0018 18-861 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Section 8 Page 6 Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Statement of Significance The 1908 Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, near Sanger, Denton County, Texas, is a 5-panel, pinned Pratt through-truss bridge, and serves as a rare example of its type in Denton County. Because of its structural integrity and riveted pin construction, Rector Road Bridge serves as a rare local example of a Pratt through-truss, and is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, under Criterion C, in the area of Engineering, at the local level of significance. The bridge is one of only two Pratt through-truss bridges still in use on county roads in Denton County. The citizens of Sanger bore the costs of erecting the Rector Road Bridge, which provided an important passage in the vicinity of Sanger, and facilitated growth and development in north Denton County. On February 19, 1908, the Rector Road Bridge was accepted by the Commissioners and they approved payment to Austin Brothers (Book G, 53-54; page 8- 7,8). The total payment was for $1,894, which included $230 for a bridge built over the slough near the Rector Road Bridge. Frank and George Austin were the Atlanta and Dallas agents of the George E. King Bridge Company in the 1890s. They had gotten their start in 1889 when George Austin moved to Dallas as an agent for the George E. King Bridge Co. of Des Moines, lA. The brothers started fabricating and installing steel truss bridges for counties across Texas and Georgia, and gradually expanded their expertise. The company they founded in still in operation today with over 6,000 employees, completing projects in almost every type of civil, commercial and industrial construction. More than 200 Austin Brothers-buih, pre-World War 11 steel truss bridges are still in service on the back roads of Texas.' Austin Bridge Co. of Dallas was the only major Texas bridge fabricator prior to the creation of the Texas Highway Department in 1917. After working for the George E. King Bridge Co,, of Des Moines, Iowa, the Austin Brothers severed their connection with George E. King Bridge Company and began to make plans to open their own bridge fabricating business. Finally, in 1910. the company purchased property in Dallas and built a small fabrication plant for bridge and building components." The Pratt truss, patented in 1844 by Thomas and Caleb Pratt, made the vertical members stand in compression and the diagonals in tension, a reversal of the popular construction designs of the day. Although originally constructed in wood and iron, the Pratt was quickly modified for all iron and steel construction, becoming the predominant truss type of the 19"' Century. By the end of the 1880s, the Pratt design had largely replaced the tubular arch as the standard truss type for short to intermediate spans. By this time, bridge fabricators were manufacturing Pratts in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, principally in short to intermediate span lengths (30 to 150 feet). The straightforward design, considerable strength and east of erection made the Pratt the predominant truss type for American roadways during the late 19"' and early 20' centuries. The Pratt quickly gained acceptance through Texas as the preferred type for short to intermediate spans, reaching its heyday of popularity from 1895 to 1910.' Built a few years after the organization of the Texas Highway Department at a time when rural counties opted to build economical truss bridges, the Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek is a rare local example of what was once a common bridge type in Denton County. Never modified, it retains a high degree of integrity and continues to serve automobile traffic in the vicinity of Sanger, Texas. ' Interview with Engineer James E. M. Stewart of Churchville, NY, March 2003. • Ihid.p.2\. ' Historic Bridges of Texas. 1866-1945. pp. 8. 11. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 18-861 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Section 9, Photo Page 7 Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Bibliography Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes, Book F, 620, August 26, 1907 (page 8-6) Denton County Commissioners Court Minutes, Book G, 53-54, February 19, 1908 (page 8-7,8) Historic Bridges of Texas, 1866-1945 Informal Contacts with several noted bridge historians, including Dr. James Cooper, Greencastle, fN; Eric DeLony, HAER, Washington, DC; Allan King Sloan, Lexington, MA,; S. Patrick Sparks, P.E., Pflugerville, TX; and James E. M. Stewart, P.E., Churchville, NY. Photo Log Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek Approximately 2.5 miles southeast of Sanger, 0.35 mi. north of Nicholson Road. Vicinity of Sanger, Texas Photographed 2003 by Rynell Novak Camera facing Northeast Photo I of 1 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Sanger vicinity, Denton County, Texas Page 4 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF PROPERTY: less than one acre UTM REFERENCES 1. Zone Easting 14 672300 Northing 3689260 VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: The nomination encompasses the complete structure. Rector Road Bridge, from the extreme southern portion of the bridge to the extreme northem portion, including all of the superstructure and any substructure that might be useful in relocating the bridge. BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The boundary includes all components of the bridge superstructure and substructure, including the approach spans and concrete deck, so as to maintain its integrity as a through truss bridge. IL FORM PREPARED BY NAME/TITLE: Rynell Novak, Ph.D. ORGANIZATION: Denton County Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER: HOW. Hickory CITY OR TOWN: Denton STATE: Texas DATE: March 31, 2003 TELEPHONE: (940) 349-2860 ZIPCODE: 76201 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION CONTINUATION SHEETS MAPS PHOTOGRAPHS (see continuation sheet Photo-7) ADDITIONAL ITEMS (see plan on continuation sheets 7-5) PROPERTY OWNER NAME: Denton County (Commissioners Court) STREET & NUMBER: HOW. Hickory CITY OR TOWN: Denton STATE: Texas TELEPHONE: (940) 349-2820 ZIPCODE: 76201 TO: TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Carol Shull, Keeper National Register of Historic Places Rick Perry • Governor John L. Nau, III • Chairman F. Lawerence Oaks • Executive Director The State Agency for Histonc Preservation FROM: Gregory W. Smith, National Register Coordinator Texas Historical Commission RE: Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Denton Co., Texas DATE: December 2, 2003 The following materials are submitted regarding: Rector Road Bridge at Clear Creek, Denton Co,, Texas X Original National Register of Historic Places form Resubmitted nomination Multiple Property nomination form X Photographs X USGS map Correspondence Other: COMMENTS: X Please ensure that this nomination is reviewed The enclosed owner objections (do ) (do not ) constitute a majority of property owners Other