Near Shawnee in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Historic Rainbow Arch Bridge

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. Historic Rainbow Arch Bridge Marker

Inscription.
Constructed 1917
Rehabilitated 2017
by
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 35° 18.019′ N, 96° 55.808′ W. Marker is near Shawnee, Oklahoma, in Pottawatomie County. It is on Old Rangeline Road south of M'bish Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18308 Old Rangeline Rd, Shawnee OK 74801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

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

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are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shawnee Mission (approx. half a mile away); Shawnee Milling Company (approx. 1.8 miles away); Louise Funk Fluke (approx. 2 miles away); Washington Irving (approx. 2 miles away); Beard Cabin (approx. 2.1 miles away); Shawnee Horse Trough (approx. 2.1 miles away); Home on the Range (approx. 3.1 miles away); Benedictine Hall (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shawnee.

Regarding Historic Rainbow Arch Bridge. Excerpts from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the bridge:

John Marsh, of Des Moines, developed and patented the design known as the Rainbow Arch or Marsh Arch. He formed his own company in 1896 and began investigating the use of steel and concrete together, and became a leader in the technological studies that resulted in the general acceptance of reinforced concrete for bridge construction. In 1911, Marsh made a patent application for the Rainbow Arch design. …

The Squirrel Creek Bridge is also significant for its association with transportation in Pottawatomie County. Squirrel Creek Bridge is located along
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. Historic Rainbow Arch Bridge Marker
Marker is on the left buttress. The bridge is pedestrian-only.
the Williams Highway and provided an important link between Shawnee and Tecumseh, Oklahoma. The Williams Highway, as it traveled through Pottawatomie County was constructed by convict laborers from the state penitentiary at McAlester. …

The Squirrel Creek Bridge is eligible [for the Register] at the state level for its role in transportation in Pottawatomie County and as the only extant example of the Rainbow Arch Bridge type in Oklahoma.

Also see . . . Squirrel Creek Bridge (PDF). National Register nomination for the bridge, which was listed in 2010. (Prepared by Lynda B. Schwan, Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office; via Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on August 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.