James B. Marsh

James Barney Marsh received a patent for his innovations on August 6, 1912 (United States Patent number 1,035,026). Born in North Lake, Wisconsin, in 1856, Marsh moved to Iowa, where he attended Iowa State University at the age of 18. The inventor received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1882. After graduation, Marsh accepted a position with the Des Moines office of the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and made patented improvements on the company's standard metal bowstring truss bridge. By 1896, the engineer's independent thinking and ambition led him to form the Marsh Bridge Company. Marsh began experimentation with concrete bridge construction. By 1909, the company had expanded numerous times and was now called the Marsh Engineering Company.

Marsh's patented bridge design parallels the design of similar structures in Europe. M. A. Considere, a well-known French engineer, constructed a concrete arch structure in France in 1904- Marsh's patented design followed eight years later. The inventor's rainbow arch design, however, received limited acceptance throughout the United States. A number of bridges according to Marsh's design were built in the Midwest, especially in Ohio, but the design never became an industry standard. The chief advantages of the Marsh system included the ability to construct a concrete bridge with minimal weight and floor thickness, while still permitting maximum headroom below the deck. The span is also protected from the elements by its concrete outer shell. Horizontal web members were eliminated, since all tension was exerted on the vertical hangers.1° The resulting structure was also more aesthetically pleasing than standard plate girder concrete construction.

Source: Historic American Engienering Record, written historical and engineering data for Spring Street Bridge (Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge) HAER No. WI-37

Participation in the following structures & large-scale projects:

• Cedar Creek Bridge
• Court Avenue Bridge - Marsh Engineering Company
• Lake City Bridge
• Moss Rainbow Arch Bridge
• Spring Street Bridge