Newest Rock County park needs name
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The 387-foot wide structure known as Tiffany Stone Bridge is located on the border of La Prairie and Turtle townships in southeastern Rock County. The span is part of a 3.5-acre site that will become Rock County’s newest park. The site was recently purchased by the county for $135,000. The Rock County Parks Department is accepting suggestions a park name.
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TURTLE TOWNSHIP — It will be a far cry from Rock County’s biggest park.
But the view spans an awful lot of history.
The Rock County Parks Department is accepting suggestions for the name of the county’s newest park. The 3.5-acre park will be located at the site of the former Joel & Ann Barrett Boys and Girls Club, 6528 Smith Road, Clinton, on the border of La Prairie and Turtle townships in southeastern Rock County.
The county board in September voted to spend $135,000 to buy the former Boys and Girls Club property, which overlooks the bridge. The purchase includes the one-story, 3,200-square-foot clubhouse.
Some possibilities for developing the park include building a canoe launch, nature center or warming shelter; renting out the facility for special occasions or meetings or using the space for youth programming, according to a news release from the parks department.
The crowning glory of the park will be its view of one of the only five-arch bridges in the world, according to documents from the parks department.
Known as the Tiffany Stone Bridge, the limestone bridge is 12 feet across at the base and 16 feet wide at the top, according to Gazette records. Each arch spans 50 feet.
It’s located three miles straight east of Interstate 90/39 near the unincorporated community of Tiffany.
According to Gazette records, Janesville resident John Watson used limestone from Janesville and across the state to build the 387-foot bridge. It was constructed when North Western Railway was building a rail line from Chicago to the Twin Cities.
In the 1930s, the bridge was reinforced to hold 234-ton loads rather than the 43-ton loads it was built for, according to Wisconsin Historical Society online records.
The bridge is listed on the national and Wisconsin registers of historic places.
NAME THAT PARK
The Rock County Parks Department is accepting suggestions for names for the county’s newest park on Turtle Creek in Turtle Township. The highlight of the property is the historic Tiffany Stone Bridge.
County ordinances suggest that naming parks after individuals should be done to recognize outstanding public service. All suggestions are welcome, and the park need not be named after an individual.
The Rock County Board must approve the new name.
E-mail suggestions to Parks Director Lori Williams at williaml@co.rock.wi.us or Community Coordinator Joleen Stinson at stinson@ co.rock.wi.us. Mail suggestions to the parks division at 3715 Newville Road, Janesville, or call (608) 757-5473. The deadline for suggestions is Tuesday, Feb. 15.
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
Stoner Park
Jan 25, 2011 at 8:35 a.m.
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Another park to pay for...... just what we need :/
Jan 24, 2011 at 5 p.m.
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It should be name for Dan Delong
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/may/16/...
Jan 24, 2011 at 4:35 p.m.
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Maybe they could somehow for the sake of some people's fond memories growing up and respect for the family name leaving the Barrett name in it would be nice (the family name on the Boys and Girls Club) hows "The Barrett Stone Bridge Park" sound to everyone? It has a nice sound to it. IMO Remember its just my opinion here, but I think it would be nice to keep the name of the former Boys and Girls Club in it somehow.
Jan 24, 2011 at 3:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
I believe there are only about 3 left in the world this grand.
Jan 24, 2011 at 3:52 p.m.
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This man also built my home.
He was know to be and illiterate engineer. there was also another engineer involved. I cannot recall his name. I found this when searching for more info about Watson.
Watson Park seems appropriate
Jan 24, 2011 at 3:39 p.m.
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I'm thinking "Five Arch Park"
Jan 24, 2011 at 3:17 p.m.
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Thanks, Roadmaster. More photos here:
http://bridgehunter.com/wi/rock/tiffany-...
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For some reason (perhaps to meet Russian women) a Facebook group exists:
http://es-es.facebook.com/group.php?gid=...
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And this from the Historic American Engineering Record [PDF]:
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/wi/wi...
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I couldn't find the actual NPS/NRHP record, but these things are inconsistent, alas.
Jan 24, 2011 at 3:13 p.m.
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I love the idea of this park, as should everyone else. One slight correction to you Janesvillean. I believe the bridge has always been accessible from public property, i.e. Turtle Creek. My wife and I pass under it in our canoe at least ten times a year, and while we must have taken a hundred pictures of it, we take new ones every time. :) I do have one fear, however. Allowing the general public closer access to the bridge, is unfortunately sure to increase vandalism. I hope they are taking that into consideration and planning.
Jan 24, 2011 at 2:41 p.m.
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Information on Tiffany Stone Arch Bridge:
http://www.historicbridges.org/wisconsin...
Information on Smith Rd Iron Bridge:
http://www.historicbridges.org/wisconsin...
Jan 24, 2011 at 2:29 p.m.
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Why is the dateline "La Grange Township" (Walworth County) when the story is about a location in Turtle Township (Rock County)?
Jan 24, 2011 at 10:35 a.m.
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Thanks partarican1 and janesvillean for the clarification and knowledge. I thought there was a donation or purchase behind the scene that was not reported, but I did not want to error like that. That is another idea for the name. I am pretty sure that Marge VanGalder wrote a book on the bridge, or was it that she made a picture of it available for purchase around 10 yrs. ago? Anyone have more insight about that?
Jan 24, 2011 at 10:12 a.m.
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This has been a desire of preservationists for some years, as previously the bridge was not accessible from public property and could only be seen from a distance. It is a rare gem because many bridges of this type have long since been replaced by more modern construction (and this bridge remains at some risk, because of its weight limitations, so making it the centerpiece of a public park will give it a little more public profile and protection in case of interest in a replacement).
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I would include the full name "Tiffany Stone Bridge Park" -- I see no need to look at any name that doesn't refer to the bridge, since that's the whole point.
Jan 23, 2011 at 10:57 p.m.
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sannio-the owners of the club approached the county parks and offered them the building and land for purchase before offering it to anyone else. And because the county parks received $900,000 as a 1-time payment from the ATC powerline company for conservation within county parks, they had funds to make the purchase. Please understand the ATC funds cannot be used for general maintenance of existing parks, and are expressly for projects of this nature. The building can be used as a clubhouse of sorts, and can be rented for meetings. Also, it can serve well as a resting point on a canoe or kayak trips on Turtle Creek, or for snowmobiles, as it is directly on the county trail.
Jan 23, 2011 at 10:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
I wonder too sannio, and I agree with OldOnliner, they should name it Stone Bridge Park. It is a fitting gesture for the area. I hope someone from the County board looks at the post to help us clarify the purchase and to motion to name it Stone Bridge Park.
Jan 23, 2011 at 8:25 p.m.
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I wasn't aware we were experiencing a county park shortage.
I wonder if there's more to this story.
Jan 23, 2011 at 6:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
And don't forget the charming little iron bridge that crosses Turtle Creek just down Smith Road from the new park entrance drive and which can also be seen from the property.
What a great little acquisition!
Jan 23, 2011 at 5:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
This should be easy: "Stone Bridge Park."
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