Winslow in Navajo County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Winslow Bridge
Photographed By Thomas Chris English, July 2, 2010
1. The Winslow Bridge Marker
This date medallion is from the Winslow Bridge that once spanned the Little Colorado River on historic Route 66 just east of Winslow. Because the river had always proved a daunting impediment to travelers, this bridge crossing became a strategic juncture in the flow of travel and commerce. Traversing the river by wagon in the late 1800's required a harrowing journey with wheels often bogged down by quicksand. In 1939, when an older bridge had become obsolete, the 26 foot-wide 2 girder Winslow Bridge was built to ease congestion. Over 800 feet long, it was one of the longest bridges in Arizona. The Winslow Bridge continued to serve the transportation needs of northern Arizona for over 60 years and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, but time had taken its toll, and the bridge required replacement in 2005.Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 35° 0.931′ N, 110° 40.786′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sunset Crossing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembrance Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Posada Hotel (approx. one mile away); La Posada Hotel, Winslow, Arizona (approx. one mile away); The First Peoples of the Southwestern Colorado Plateau (approx. 1.1 miles away); Early Trails Across the Little Colorado River Valley (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Railroads Build a Town: Early Industry (approx. 1.1 miles away); A City in Motion: The Heyday of the Santa Fe Railway (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winslow.
Also see . . . NRHP form for 1939 Winslow Bridge. This file includes some grainy photos of the 1939 bridge. (Submitted on June 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.)
Photographed By Thomas Chris English, July 2, 2010
2. The Winslow Bridge Marker
Looking NE
Photographed By Thomas Chris English, July 2, 2010
3. The Winslow Bridge Marker
From the rest area curb. Rest Area ramada is visible and a wider view of the general area NE toward I-40.
Photographed By Thomas Chris English, July 2, 2010
4. The Winslow Bridge Marker
Looking north to see the support cross-section of the bridge girder.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 20, 2010
5. The New Winslow Bridge
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. History and Archives Division., circa 1928
6. Winslow Bridge
Photograph of the bridge over the Little Colorado River on United States Highway 66 in Winslow (Ariz.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,484 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 5. submitted on September 29, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6. submitted on June 12, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
