Gonzales in Gonzales County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Oak Forest Bridge

Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021

1. Oak Forest Bridge Marker

Inscription. In October 1913, Gonzales County commissioners contracted with A. A. Alsbury & Company to construct a bridge over the Guadalupe River. Completed by February 1914, it connected the rural communities of Oak Forest and Monthalia, both established in the 19th century, A.A Alsbury & Company utilized a Parker through truss design of the Ottumwa Bridge Company of Iowa for the bridge, which was originally 140 feet long and included Pratt trusses on either side of the main span. The Texas Department of Transportation relocated the main span to this site above Kerr Creek in 2004 and it now serves as an element of the community's trail system and as a reminder of early transportation.

Erected 2005 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13242.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1914.

Location. 29° 30.54′ N, 97° 25.795′ W. Marker is in Gonzales, Texas, in Gonzales County. Marker is on Saint Louis Street (State Highway 146) 0.1 miles east of Lions Club Drive, on the left when traveling east. The marker and bridge are located in the eastern section of the Gonzales City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gonzales TX 78629, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Texas Historic Bridge (here, next to this marker); Kerr's Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Burkett (about 400 feet away); 1825 Kerr's Settlement (about 500 feet away); Kerr's Settlement (about 500 feet away); Company L, First Texas Infantry (approx. 0.4 miles away); "The Great War" (approx. 0.4 miles away); "We Shall Not Forget" (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gonzales.

Also see . . . Truss bridge.

A truss bridge is a bridge whose load-bearing superstructure is composed of a truss, a structure of connected elements, usually forming triangular units. The connected elements (typically straight) may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. The basic types of truss bridges shown in this article have simple designs which could be easily analyzed by 19th and early 20th-century engineers. A truss bridge is economical to construct because it uses materials efficiently. Source: Wikipedia

(Submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Oak Forest Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021

2. The Oak Forest Bridge and Marker

A view of the Oak Forest Bridge and Marker from the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021

3. A view of the Oak Forest Bridge and Marker from the park

The view of the Oak Forest Bridge from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021

4. The view of the Oak Forest Bridge from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.