Waco Suspension Bridge
Posted by: 
Web-ling
N 31° 33.661 W 097° 07.647
14R E 677724 N 3493299
Suspension bridge at the Brazos River, Waco, Texas
Waymark Code: WMW7G
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/23/2006
Views: 52
Hailed as the first span across the Brazos River, the Waco Suspension Bridge opened to horse-drawn wagon traffic in 1869. Requiring specialized materials and nearly 3 million bricks, the bridge was a spectacular engineering feat for its time.
The bridge collected its first toll on January 1st, 1870. The 475 foot span was one of the longest single-span bridges in the world at the time, and was wide enough for two stagecoaches to pass each other. Because it was the only bridge to cross the Brazos at the time, the $141,000 cost of building the bridge was quickly paid back. Tolls were 5 cents per head of cattle that crossed, along with a charge for pedestrian traffic.
In 1889, the bridge was sold to McLennan County, which removed all tolls. In 1913-1914, major reconstruction occurred on the bridge, replacing the older steel with higher gauge, and trusses were added to accommodate the span to carry heavier weights.
The bridge today is a pedestrian walkway.
Street address:
Connecting Indian Springs Park with M.L.K Jr. Park
Waco, Texas United States
County / Borough / Parish: McLennan County
Year listed: 1970
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1850-1874
Historic function: Transportation
Current function: Transportation
Privately owned?: no
Season start / Season finish: From: 05/18/2010 To: 05/18/2011
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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