Two area locations are officially new to the Kansas Register of Historic Places.
The Kansas State Historical Society named the Rocky Ford Bridge, also known as the Bird Bridge, as part of its meeting Saturday. The bridge on Road P just north of Road 140 and about four miles southeast of Emporia was built in 1907 and uses what’s called a Pratt steel truss design, which was different from earlier trusses in that it used iron for the vertical components instead of wood.
The bridge was made infamous by the murder of Sandra Bird in July 1983 by her husband, Thomas Bird — but the Historical Society says the bridge was nominated for its role in transportation and engineering, not the murder.
Also named was the Star Block on Market Street in Osage City. Built in 1883 during a coal boom in Osage City, the building has housed over 80 businesses, including stores, newspapers, medical clinics, restaurants, offices and at least one theater. It is currently being renovated.
Both locations are now recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
