Salado in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Main Street Bridges
A number of bridges have been built over Salado Creek on Main Street since 1870. After the town of Salado was laid out in 1859, citizens crossed the creek using various combinations of rocks and logs. When local citizens and students at Salado College began to demand that a proper bridge be constructed across the creek, town officials voted to issue bonds to fund the project.
The first bridge, built in 1868-69, was constructed by local volunteers. The cable wire suspension footbridge, with cedar crossbars and a wooden plank floor, was destroyed in a 1900 flood.
The second bridge, a larger structure which would accommodate wagon as well as foot travel, was an iron bridge built by the King Bridge Company in 1892. Located a few yards west of the suspension footbridge, it rested on piers of rock and mortar, and was destroyed in a flood in 1913. Replaced a year later, the duplicate bridge was washed away in a 1921 flood.
A concrete bridge was built across the creek in 1922. Anchored with reinforced steel set into the rock creek bed, it proved to be a more permanent solution than previous efforts to bridge the stream and continues to be a focal point in the town.
Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3189.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 30° 56.591′ N, 97° 32.244′ W. Marker is in Salado, Texas, in Bell County. South of bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Main St, Salado TX 76571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Salado (here, next to this marker); Salado Creek (here, next to this marker); Log Cabin at the Stagecoach Inn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stagecoach Inn (about 300 feet away); The Davis Mill (about 500 feet away); Site of Salado College (about 500 feet away); Judge Paine L. Bush - Salado Son (about 500 feet away); Welcome to Historic Salado College Park (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salado.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,064 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 24, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on March 24, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.