Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company

The Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company (WB&I) was a fabricator and erector of iron and steel bridges and other large structures.

According to one source[1] it was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1888. According to another source, the firm was founded by three brothers in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin in 1870 as Weinhagen Brothers, Engineers, which in 1880 became known as the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, and was incorporated in 1891 using that name. The 1887 Turtleville bridge was believed to be one of the earlier truss bridges constructed by the firm.[2]

The Riemer family of Elm Grove, Wisconsin was heavily affiliated with the company until it was sold in the 1970s. A competitor to American Bridge Company, (in at least one case[3] both firms submitted bids that matched to the penny), this firm was responsible for many bridges and other large structures in the United States Midwest and elsewhere. The Historic American Engineering Record shows at least 16 projects[4] where WB&I were believed to be either the prime, steel or fabrication contractors.

A number of the firm's works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[5]

  1. ^ University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee list of companies Archived 2006-01-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference nrhpdoc-Turtleville was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ M-DOT page about M-50 bridge across Sandstone Creek in Jackson County, Michigan.
  4. ^ HAER record list of projects mentioning WB&I
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.