Tulsa in Tulsa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Bridge that Saved Tulsa

Photographed by Kevin Hoch, October 4, 2016

1. The Bridge that Saved Tulsa Marker

Inscription.
The first wagon bridge over the Arkansas River crossed the river very near the present day Eleventh Street bridge.
The Bridge That Saved Tulsa Because bonds could not be issued in Tulsa's village days, many despaired of bridging the Arkansas, but M.L. Baird, J.D. Hagler and Geo. T. Williamson, risking their own money, completed this bridge January 4, 1904, placarding the tollgates: "You said we couldn't do it but we did."
A roadway was thus opened to the oilfields and the Great Glenn Pool, discovered in 1905. Without this bridge, Tulsa could not have become "The Oil Capitol of the World"

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 4, 1904.

Location. 36° 8.627′ N, 96° 0.158′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is on Riverside Drive, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on a split on the River Parks East Trail, just south of the intersection between Riverside Drive and Southwest Blvd/Route 66 and just south down Riverside Drive

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from Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulsa OK 74119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bridge Builder (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge (about 300 feet away); "East Meets West" (about 300 feet away); Cyrus Stevens Avery (about 300 feet away); Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge (about 400 feet away); Tulsa Spotlight Theatre and “The Drunkard” (approx. ¼ mile away); Bruce Goff • Patti Adams Shriner (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Kevin Hoch, October 4, 2016

2. The Bridge that Saved Tulsa Marker

View of the Eleventh Street Bridge of the Arkansas River

of all markers in Tulsa.

Another marker is no longer nearby. 11th Street Bridge, Tulsa, Oklahoma (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2016, by Kevin Hoch of Waco, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,409 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2016, by Kevin Hoch of Waco, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.