Waco Suspension Bridge

Bridge Summary From National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

Discussion of Bridge

An early suspension bridge with two double cable towers of pink brick (now stuccoed) with superimposed arches connecting the two piers of each tower and crossing the road bed. Toll houses and walls terminate both ends of the bridge. The original crenellation, pierced openings, and fine detail has been removed or stuccoed over, but the general lines of the structures are still architecturally interesting. The toll houses have stepped gable roofs, parapets, and round arched openings now closed up.

The Waco suspension bridge was the first bridge across the Brazos River and the longest single span suspension bridge in the world when it was built. It was chartered by Waco stockholders November 1, 1866. Col. John T. Flint, President of the Waco Bridge Company, went to New York and contacted the John A. Roebling Company (the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883). The engineer Thomas M. Griffith was sent to Waco to design the bridge. It has a 475 foot span and the cable and pieces were tooled at eastern foundries and shipped to Galveston. They were then sent on part of the way by rail and the rest of the way by ox teams. Thousands and thousands of local brick were used.

The bridge was opened January 7, 1870 and functioned for twenty years as a toll bridge with a 24 hour toll keeper. On September 1, 1889, it was purchased by McLennan county for $75,000 and conveyed to the city for one dollar.

A severe flood in 1885 damaged the east approach and a steel span was built for this section. Later the windows and doors of the anchor houses and towers were closed and the brick construction was covered with plaster. The bridge is still in daily use.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

O'Dowd, Mary Alice. The Magic Bridge. Waco, The Heritage Society of Waco, n.d., Pamphlet, 4pp.

Liecke, Jay; Mogas, Richard; Fields, Earl. Waco Suspension Bridge. Unpublished Student Paper. Architecture Archives, University of Texas, Austin, Texas n.d.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes, this bridge is listed with reference number 70000850.