Veterans Memorial Bridge - Coalgate, OK - Non-Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

At 1400 S. Broadway, about one-half mile south of town, this bridge is located in the 45th Infantry Division Memorial Park section of the Coalgate City Park. It serves now as a pedestrian footbridge across part of the city lake. A nearby bronze memorial documents its history and the decision of Coal County to memorialize this bridge in honor of all veterans of the county. The bridge was built in 1910 by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron company in Leavenworth, Kansas.

This is a truss bridge with a wood plank path, which has been overlaid with concrete to make a usable pedestrian bridge. Its history is fascinating, and we quote from the American Legion website: Legion "Veterans Memorial Bridge, Coalgate, Oklahoma has a long history starting back being built in 1910 across Muddy Boggy Creek near the Pine Community in Northern Coal County, Oklahoma. The bridge served for 65 years and withstood many floods, loads of cotton and other loads for many years.

"In 1975 the bridge was replaced by a new concrete bridge and set beside the road for 10 years not knowing its future until former county commissioner, Harry Farris, decided to use the bridge 12 miles south east of Pine near the Lone Star Community across the Salt Creek. The bridge stood for the next 13 years serving the community. The county commissioner, John Ward, and others decided the bridge would serve the citizens of the county as a pedestrian bridge at the 45th Infantry Division Memorial Park as a lasting memory of the Veterans of Coal County. The bridge was named the Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor the past and future veterans for young and old to view. This Veterans Memorial Bridge was made possible by those in the community who made donations to fund the memorial."

A bronze plaque next to the bridge reads:

This bridge was built in 1910 across Muddy Boggy Creek near the Pine Community in Northern Coal County serving its people in that area for 65 years. It has withstood many floods, loads of cotton and other loads that crossed the bridge for many years.

Having been replaced by a new concrete bridge in 1975. The bridge, not knowing its future, sat on the side of the road for the next ten years until Former county commissioner, Harry Farris decided to use the old bridge 12 miles South East of Pine near the Lone Star Community across the Salt Creek. Where it stood for the next 13 years. It was then decided by county commissioner, John D. Ward , and others that the bridge would serve the citizens of the county as a pedestrian bridge at the 45th Infantry Division Memorial Park as a lasting memory of the veterans of Coal County. This bridge is a big part of our past and future and now sits here for all, young and old to view.

This monuments made possible by these who made donations to fund this Memorial.

(list of donors)
Dedicated April 21st, 2000

Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial In Honor Of: Veterans of Coal County Marker Text: See narrative Date of dedication: 4/21/2000 Who Put it Here?: Coal County Description of Memorial: See narrative Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): Not listed

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