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Dale Creek Bridge, Sherman, Wyoming, 1885. A dangerous crossing that required trains to slow down to 4mph. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 months ago by sjmarf@sh.itjust.works to c/historyporn@lemmy.world

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[-] Spastickyle@lemmy.world 64 points 3 months ago

I parents live within a 5-mile drive from that location. I don't think the commenters understand how windy that place is. The wood may look more sturdy but it's also a wind sail. The thin "toothpick" structure was most likely designed to allow the wind to pass through without blowing the bridge down.

[-] yetAnotherUser@feddit.de 23 points 3 months ago

There's an easy solution to make bridges stable in windy conditions:

(That bridge was built from 1846 to 1851 and it's still used today)

[-] BakerBagel@midwest.social 18 points 3 months ago

And how do you propose you get all those bricks to some remote pass in Wyoming in the late 19th century? There was 21,000 (non-native) people living in an area larger than the entire United Kingdom in 1880.

[-] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 43 points 3 months ago

I mean... A train?

I get you though; built with what's readily available to meet the needs of the time.

[-] BetterDev@programming.dev 14 points 3 months ago

I laughed out loud at this. Thank you.

[-] BakerBagel@midwest.social 4 points 3 months ago

It's not jist about what's readily available either. A giant brick viaduct would require thousands if workers, housing, food, and sanitation for them. On top of that, the army would have to dedicate a full company ti protecting the workers due to the risk of attack from natives. The logistics just make it impossible for such a remote area back then.