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

Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport

Photographed by Gary Estep, January 21, 2026

1. Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport Marker

Inscription. When Butterfield Overland Mail traversed this area (1858-61) on St. Louis to San Francisco route, a crossing over West Fork of the Trinity was a necessity. Colonel W. H. Hunt on February 11, 1860, obtained a charter and built a toll bridge here (50 yards west). The Overland Mail ceased operating as Civil War began. The bridge soon collapsed. However, a settlement had begun here, and in 1873 Charles Cates, a Decatur merchant, spanned the river with an iron bridge. When the Rock Island Railroad built to this point in 1893, town moved but retained historic name.

Erected 1972 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5499.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1860.

Location. 33° 11.718′ N, 97° 47.059′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, Texas, in Wise County. It is on Farm to Market Road 920 0.4 miles north of County Road 3424, on the right when traveling south. FM 920 and Trinity River Bridge, just west of Bridgeport. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridgeport TX 76426, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bridgeport Coal Mines (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bridgeport Lodge No. 587, A.F. & A.M.

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(approx. 1.9 miles away); First Baptist Church Bridgeport (approx. 2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport (approx. 2.4 miles away); St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Republic of Texas' Santa Fe Expedition in Wise County (approx. 3 miles away); Lake Bridgeport World War II Training Site (approx. 4.7 miles away); George Lafayette Ramsdale (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeport.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

2. Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

3. Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,357 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.