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

"Alfalfa Bill" Murray's Red River Bridge War

The Red River Journey

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

1. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray's Red River Bridge War Marker

Inscription. To accommodate increasing traffic, Texas and Oklahoma officials cooperated to build free bridges spanning the Red River replacing private toll bridges, including the Colbert Bridge. When the free bridge was set to open in 1931, the Colbert Bridge operators obtained a federal injunction delaying its opening. The Texas governor complied, but Oklahoma Governor William H. Murray sent the state militia to open the bridge.

Tensions ran high in the July heat, but after several weeks the injunction was suspended and the free bridge was opened.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location. 35° 29.612′ N, 97° 29.862′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. Marker can be reached from Nazih Zuhdi Drive west of North Laird Avenue. Marker is part of the Red River Journey pathway, which is on the grounds of the Oklahoma History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City OK 73104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Butterfield Overland Stage (here, next to this marker); Texas Road (here, next to this marker); Bloomfield Academy (here, next to this marker); Bison Tracks

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(here, next to this marker); East and West Shawnee Trails (here, next to this marker); Trail of Tears (a few steps from this marker); Colbert's Ferry and Denison Dam (a few steps from this marker); Washita River (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

2. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray's Red River Bridge War Marker

Marker is where the red arrow points to. Oklahoma State Capitol is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.