Near Comstock in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pecos River High Bridge

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 10, 2010

1. Pecos River High Bridge Marker

Inscription. High canyon walls dominate the last 60 miles of the Pecos River before it enters the Rio Grande. The Southern Pacific Railroad built the first high bridge across the Pecos in 1891. The first highway bridge to span the river was built one mile down river from here in 1923. Just 50 feet above water, the 1923 bridge was destroyed by floodwaters in 1954. Two temporary low water bridges built nearby in 1954 and 1955 also were destroyed by floodwaters. A new 1,310-feet long bridge was completed here in 1957. At 273-feet above the river it is the highest highway bridge in Texas.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3975.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Southern Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 29° 42.371′ N, 101° 21.201′ W. Marker is near Comstock, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 90. From Del Rio, take US Hwy. 90 about 45-50 miles west to the Pecos River bridge. The roadside park/scenic view area is south of the highway at the end of Park Rd. 67 which

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is accessible off US 90, west of Seminole Canyon State Park and approximately 0.2 miles east of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Comstock TX 78837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Medal of Honor Fight, 1875 (here, next to this marker); Pecos High Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Pecos River in Literature and Folklore (a few steps from this marker); Near Site, Southern Pacific Ceremony of Silver Spike (approx. 4.6 miles away); Site of Vinegarroon (approx. 4.6 miles away); Railroad Bridges Over the Pecos (approx. 4.6 miles away); Eagle’s Nest (approx. 14 miles away); Robert Thomas Hill (approx. 14 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Comstock.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. A marker replaced by this marker.

Additional keywords. McCloud B. Hodges, engineer; Old Spanish Trail

"Pecos River High Bridge" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 10, 2010

2. "Pecos River High Bridge"

The shelter at the scenic view pull-off - the High Bridge is visible in the distance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 10, 2010

3. The shelter at the scenic view pull-off - the High Bridge is visible in the distance.

"From this point you can see the mouth of the Pecos River, the Rio Grande and hills in Old Mexico" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 10, 2010

4. "From this point you can see the mouth of the Pecos River, the Rio Grande and hills in Old Mexico"

signage at the south end of the scenic view rest stop.

View to the south of the High Bridge - the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grande with hills in the image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 10, 2010

5. View to the south of the High Bridge - the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grande with hills in the

Mexican state of Coahuila on the horizon.

... in Memory of <b>McCloud B. Hodges</b> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 9, 2010

6. ... in Memory of McCloud B. Hodges

District Engineer
1933-1934 and 1950-1958
Texas State Highway Department
Served the Department over 35 years
A leader in promoting this bridge
Erected by Del Rio Chamber of Commerce
and Old Spanish Trail Association
1957

View northward from the Pecos River High Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 9, 2010

7. View northward from the Pecos River High Bridge

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 9, 2010

8. Pecos River High Bridge

- viewed from its northeast corner, over the McLoud B. Hodges memorial plaque

1944 USGS topo showing original Southern Pacific Railroad bridge crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney

9. 1944 USGS topo showing original Southern Pacific Railroad bridge crossing

This topo map is from the USGS 1944. You can see rail tracks north and south of river showing where the bridge would have been. Also, map showing how the highway crossed the Pecos before the current bridge. Remnants of that old road are still there, can be used to get down to river level for fishing, etc.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,899 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on October 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 8, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on October 15, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9. submitted on December 6, 2019, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.