Bridging the Gap

TOP: Frisco Railroad trestle #1, Winslow (Washington County), about 1900.John D. Little Collection (S-92-109-42)

BOTTOM: Frisco Railroad trestle #1, Winslow, about 1909.Mrs. Kenneth Tillotson Collection (S-90-91-18)

The St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (the “Frisco”) came to Northwest Arkansas in 1881. The Delaware Bridge Company built three trestles for the railroad near Winslow, including the longest one, #1, in 1882. That trestle is 780-feet long and, at its highest, rises 115 feet over the valley floor.

The original iron trestle was replaced with a steel trestle in 1907. Deck plate girders were added to allow heavier steam engines and longer freight trains.

The trestle is still in use by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. Passengers on the railroad’s excursion train to Van Buren have a bird’s-eye view of the rugged, spectacular valley.

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Engine #3 pushing a lumber car during the construction of the St. Louis & North Arkansas Railroad bridge, Kings River, Grandview (Carroll County), 1901.Carroll County Heritage Center Collection (S-84-211-87)

This deck truss bridge with trestle approaches was built in 1900-1901 by the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company, builders of many steel bridges in Northwest Arkansas. In February 1901 it was reported that about two miles of track were being laid every day.

This railroad line changed hands several times, eventually becoming the Arkansas & Ozarks Railway before being abandoned in 1961.

Kansas City & Memphis Railway trestle, Elm Springs (Washington County), March 1911.Marion Mason Collection (S-2001-70-17)

The cut timber and peeled-log trestle at Elm Springs was built in 1911 over a wide floodplain bordered by hills. At 1,116 feet in length, it was probably the longest trestle in Northwest Arkansas.

The railroad faced financial difficulties because its main line paralleled that of its rival, the Frisco. There wasn’t enough business. In 1918 the railroad ceased operation. During World War I the steel track was removed for the war effort. The trestles were likely left in place.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Swinging footbridge, Kings River, Marble (Madison County), about 1915.William H. Chenault Collection (S-2005-37-39)

The 3-feet wide, 200-feet long cable footbridge was built by P.B. Reed of Huntsville. The contract stated that the bridge would be no more than 15 feet above the low-water level of the river. The builder provided all materials except the rock needed for the foundation and anchors.

The cables used for the bridge were three-quarter inch in diameter. Turnbuckles allowed the cables to be tightened so that the sag was no more than five-and-one-half feet overall. A sign on the bridge states, “Five dollar fine for any one to add any extra strain on bridge.”

Arkansas Highway 7 bridge, Little Buffalo River, Jasper (Newton County), about 1925.Bob Besom Collection (S-82-213-12)

The bridge over the Little Buffalo River was built in 1924-1925. The two-span, Parker through-truss bridge was replaced in 1974.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

War Eagle Craft Fair visitors, War Eagle (Benton County), October 16, 1987.Springdale News Collection (SN 10-16-1987)

Several small fords used to cross the War Eagle Creek in the 1800s, but floods washed them out, preventing area residents from traveling to town. In 1907 about 100 residents signed a petition asking for a permanent bridge. Construction began later that year on the $4,790, Parker through-truss bridge built by the Illinois Steel Bridge Company.

The 304-feet long bridge is still in use, although weight limits have been placed on it. At one time there was talk of replacing the bridge but concerned citizens argued for its preservation. The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Louis & North Arkansas Railroad bridge, Long Creek, Alpena (Boone County), 1901.W.P. Shumate, photographer. Carroll County Heritage Center Collection (S-84-211-92)

The Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company built this deck truss bridge with trestle approaches in 1900-1901. The steel members for the bridge were brought from Eureka Springs by wagon. A Swede by the name of Ole Loken was the supervisor for both the Long Creek and Kings River bridges. He was especially proud of their handsome deck truss spans.

The bridge was situated in the middle of an S-curve making for a picturesque scene for travelers. A large portion of the trestle was burned in 1920 by striking railroad workers. Financial difficulties caused by a bridge collapse and the switch to transporting goods by truck led to the abandonment of the railroad in 1961.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Lafayette Street bridge (with Maple Street bridge in background), Fayetteville (Washington County), about 1909.Speece & Aaron, photographers. Mrs. Kenneth Tillotson Collection

(S-90-91-1)

A bridge was first built in this location just north of the Frisco depot in 1884. It was later replaced by another wood bridge before a $30,000 Art Deco-style concrete bridge was built in 1938.

Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad bridge, White River, Beaver (Carroll County), about 1910.Frank O’Donnel Collection (S-83-157-44)

When the bridge was first built in 1882-1883 for the Eureka Springs Railway, it was able to support the standard axle loading of the day (the weight supported by each axle). Later locomotives and cars were heavier. As it was impractical to strengthen the existing bridge, the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company built a new, heavier bridge and moved the spans into place in 1907.

The bridge and the deep cut through a limestone bluff just beyond it, known as “The Narrows,” was a popular excursion trip for tourists staying in Eureka Springs. On the Fourth of July fireworks were shot off the bluff. Planks placed between the rails of the bridge allowed visitors to walk across it to a rocky beach or to the little town of Beaver.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

TOP: White River bridge near Rogers (Benton County), about 1912.Bob Besom Collection (S-82-170-3)

BOTTOM: Highway 12 bridge near Rogers, August 1964.Springdale News Collection (SN 8-1964)

In 1904 a steel Parker through-truss bridge was built east of Rogers over the White River. It became obsolete during the construction of Beaver Lake.

The old bridge was torn down in 1963 as its replacement was on the rise nearby. When area residents were told the new concrete girder bridge would span from one hill to the next, they couldn’t believe it. It was hard to imagine a huge lake in their valley. Folks traveled to the construction site to take photos and home movies.

In 2008 travelers saw water lapping just below the deck of the bridge as record rains flooded the lake.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

“Little Golden Gate” bridge, White River, Beaver (Carroll County), November 6, 1994.Scott Flanagin, photographer. Northwest Arkansas Times Collection (NWAT 11-6-

1994)

The wire suspension bridge at Beaver is one of a handful of such bridges left in Arkansas. It was built in 1949 by the Pioneer Construction Company of Malvern for $107,785. It replaced a concrete bridge that washed out in the early 1940s.

Although it has a weight limit, this single-lane, 554-feet long bridge is still in use. Because of the bridge’s arch, drivers can’t see if a car is coming from the opposite side. When two cars meet the one furthest along has the right-of-way; the other car must back up. The rippling motion of the bridge can be unnerving.

This picturesque bridge is a favorite of automotive and motorcycle clubs and was seen in the 2005 film Elizabethtown. At one time scheduled for demolition, the bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Bridge construction, Osage Creek, Berryville (Carroll County), 1901.Carroll County Heritage Center Collection (S-86-211-9)

Some of the equipment used to build this two-span, Pratt through-truss bridge can be seen, including a winch and the rigging used to raise the metal supports. The piers which hold up the deck are poured concrete. The pier on the farther edge of the creek bed appears broken and unused.

The bridge collapsed in March 1999, causing a man in a pickup truck to plunge into the creek. Prior to his crossing, a concrete truck that was too heavy for the posted weight limit on the bridge had traveled across it, likely weakening the bridge.

Bridge construction, War Eagle Creek, Withrow Springs (Madison County), 1914.May Markley Reed Collection (S-84-155-63)

This 280-feet long steel Pratt through-truss bridge was the first big bridge in Madison County. It was built 1914-1915 by the Leavenworth Bridge Company of Kansas for $6,462. P.B. Reed of Huntsville, builder of the swinging bridge at Marble, served as construction foreman.

The bridge was paid for in part by a one mill tax levied on county residents. Citizens near the new structure also contributed $700, a portion of which was used to build the approaches. The bridge is still in use as part of Highway 23, but in need of costly repairs.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Swinging footbridge, Cincinnati Creek, Cincinnati (Washington County), May 16, 1909.Suttle, photographer. Ruth Ann Wilson Collection (S-83-324-41)

Before the footbridge was built, folks had to cross the creek by foot. G.W. Bond remembered a time in his youth when he spied Brother Hanks removing his shoes and socks and rolling up his pant legs to ford the cold waters of the creek. Definitely not a dignified look for a preacher!

Tilly Willy bridge, West Fork of the White River, near Fayetteville (Washington County), 1980s.Joe Neal, photographer. Joe Neal Collection (S-88-247-35)

Although now used as a bridge, the structure was built in 1928 as the fourth dam in Fayetteville’s Water Improvement District #1. Over a period of about 20 years a series of dams were built along the White River to impound water for the growing city of Fayetteville, during a time when the area was facing drought. In 1930 a fifth and final dam was built, creating Lake Wilson.

Tilly Willy may owe its interesting name to Matilda Wilson who lived in the area and likely had a ford named after her. The 160-feet long concrete and rock bridge is still in use, but, as of 2008, is scheduled for replacement.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Twin Bridge #1, Baron Creek Ford, near Morrow (Washington County), 1970s.Washington County Historical Society Collection (P-4755)

In 1922 the Luten Bridge Company of Tennessee built this concrete arch bridge located on Washington County Road #3412. The company’s founder, Daniel B. Luten, was a civil engineer who specialized in reinforced concrete bridges, patenting a number of innovations and designs. For many years his company held a monopoly on such bridges.

Twin Bridge #2 is smaller and located a few hundred feet away. Both bridges are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bridge construction at Lake Wedington (Washington County), about 1937.C.B. Wiggans, photographer. Ann Wiggans Sugg Collection (S-91-74-66)

The rock and mortar bridge was built around 1937 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps under the direction of C.B. Wiggans of Fayetteville, project manager. While some mechanized equipment was used to build park structures, most of the work was accomplished with the use of mule teams, pickaxes, and shovels. The construction materials came from the land itself.

Lake Wedington was built by the Works Progress Administration to show farmers how their worn-out or eroded fields could be developed for beneficial use. The project also offered much-needed jobs to an area suffering the financial woes of the Great Depression. Salaries ranged from 25 to 50 cents an hour for a ten-hour day.

Bridging the Gap Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

White River bridge, Highway 68 (later Highway 412), near Sonora (Washington County), about 1961.Vince Little Collection (S-2001-57)

The 617-feet long steel and concrete girder bridge was built in 1961 by the E.E. Barber Construction Company of Fort Smith. It replaced an old through-truss bridge that was considered inadequate by 1945. Nearby Springdale was a growing town and there was too much traffic for a one-lane bridge built for horse-drawn wagons.

In the late 1940s the roads on either side of the White River were finally paved, but the Korean War and other difficulties kept the bridge from being built. When construction finally began, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped with building costs since the waters of Beaver Lake, then under development, would back up in the White River and cover nearby property.

Sometime around the turn of the 21st century the bridge was blown up, following the construction of two double-lane replacement bridges further north.