Purcell in McClain County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
The James C. Nance Bridge
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025
1. James C. Nance Bridge Marker
The James C. Nance Bridge is a stellar example of the bridge building that took place in Oklahoma under the auspices of the many federal aid programs that made up the New Deal. This bridge combined funds made available through the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 and the US Works Program Grade Crossing Program. The total bridge construction cost was $651,781. When the bridge opened for traffic on August 11, 1938, it was the longest and highest example of a deck truss in the state of Oklahoma. Spans of the former Warren Through Truss bridge, which was constructed in 1911, were dismantled and repurposed as single and mixed truss span bridges throughout Oklahoma.
All Photos Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Erected by Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 11, 1938.
Location. 35° 0.801′ N, 97° 21.532′ W. Marker is in Purcell, Oklahoma, in McClain
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Chickasaw Nation and in Greater Oklahoma City. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Purcell (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Desert Storm Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); 46th State (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Love (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lexington-Purcell Toll Bridges (approx. Ύ mile away); Run of '89 South Boundary (approx. 1.4 miles away);
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025
2. James C. Nance Bridge Marker
Regarding The James C. Nance Bridge. The two-lane deck truss bridge was built using a rare manganese-steel alloy that was prone to cracking when welded on. Engineers discovered this in 2014, when they found numerous structural cracks following a routine maintenance project. That prompted a four-month emergency closure to reinforce the bridge and expedited planning for its replacement. After a two-year, $38 million construction project, the current four-lane concrete pier bridge opened to traffic on July 26, 2019. The old bridge was demolished in 2018.
Also see . . . US Highway 77 Bridge at the Canadian River. National Register of Historic Places nomination (PDF) and accompanying photographs (separate PDF) submitted for the original 1938 bridge, which was listed in 2003 and subsequently demolished in 2018. (Prepared by Jim Gabbert, Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office; via National Park Service) (Submitted on June 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
via Wikipedia (Public Domain)
3. James Clark Nance (1893-1984)
A longtime community newspaper chain publisher, he served a combined 40 years in both houses of the Oklahoma legislature. The legislature named the bridge the James C. Nance Bridge in 1968, and amended it to the James C. Nance Memorial Bridge in 1993.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
