Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

"Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

1. "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge Marker

Inscription. The gray bridge, finished in 1915, is the "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge. This was the final link in a highway stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Its presence meant travelers no longer had to wait for the ferry to cross the Colorado River.

The first railroad bridge crossing the Colorado River was a low pivot bridge built in the floodplain below prison hill. It would swing open for passage of steamboats, and served the railroad until 1923, when the black railroad bridge was built. Approximately one third of the prison was demolished to make way for the present bridge and its foundation.

Erected by Arizona State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 32° 43.679′ N, 114° 36.909′ W. Marker is in Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. Marker can be reached from Prison Hill Road, half a mile north of Harold C. Giss Parkway. Marker is located in Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, overlooking the Colorado River and the subject bridges. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Prison Hill Road, Yuma AZ 85364, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Old Ferry Landing (a few steps from this marker); View of the Prison from Across the River

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(a few steps from this marker); "Indian Hill" (a few steps from this marker); The All-important Colorado River Crossing (a few steps from this marker); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Ocean-to-Ocean Highway Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing Into History (within shouting distance of this marker); Drinking Water Life in the Desert (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.

Regarding "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge. The "Ocean-to-Ocean" Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, #79000431.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge

Also see . . .
1. Ocean to Ocean Bridge (Wikipedia). Built in 1915, it was the first highway crossing of the lower Colorado and is the earliest example of a through truss bridge in Arizona. Originally the bridge carried the transcontinental Ocean-to-Ocean Highway and later carried its

Marker detail: Ferry Crossing (<i>before bridge</i>) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Ferry Crossing (before bridge)

successor, US 80 until a new bridge was built to the west in 1956. (Submitted on October 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Through truss bridge over Colorado River on Union Pacific Railroad in Yuma. Built 1923. Railroads: Southern Pacific Railroad (SP); Union Pacific Railroad (UP) (Submitted on October 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: First Railroad Bridge image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: First Railroad Bridge

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

4. "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge Marker

(1923 railroad bridge & “Ocean to Ocean” bridge in background)

1923 Railroad Bridge & “Ocean to Ocean” Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

5. 1923 Railroad Bridge & “Ocean to Ocean” Bridge

(view from prison lookout platform • marker visible in background)

Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge (<i>left</i>) & Railroad Bridge (<i>right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

6. Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge (left) & Railroad Bridge (right)

(looking north along Penitentiary Avenue)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.