Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Waco Suspension Bridge

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, October 12, 2025

1. The Waco Suspension Bridge Marker

Inscription. In 1866 the Waco Bridge Company was granted a 25 year charter to build a toll bridge here. The charter guaranteed that no other bridge or ferry could be built within five miles. Construction began in 1868 and, after much financial difficulty, was finished in 1870. Bridge traffic included wagons, pedestrians, and cattle herds. Special rates were given to heavy users. From 1875 to 1889 the public agitated for a free bridge, but the company retained its monopoly. Then, in 1889, the bridge was sold to McLennan County which gave it to the city of Waco as a free bridge.

Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5448.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 31° 33.615′ N, 97° 7.669′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is on North University Parks Drive. Marker is located at the Suspension Bridge Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North University Park Drive, Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Waco Suspension Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Waco Spring (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Jacob de Cordova (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Plaza (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Washington Avenue Bridge at Brazos River (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named The Waco Suspension Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Going Up The Chisholm Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

More about this marker. There is an identical marker at the northeast end of the bridge.

Also see . . . Waco Suspension Bridge. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on May 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Waco Springs & Waco Indian Village image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, July 14, 2010

2. Waco Springs & Waco Indian Village

The suspension bridge was built near the original site of the Waco Springs where the Waco Indian village was located. A marker near the bridge reads:
Erected by
Henry Downs Chapter
Daughters of
The American Revolution
1849 - May 5-1917
Reclaiming the Waco Spring
famed in local tradition
as the camping grounds
of the Waco Indians
and the first crossing
of the Brazos River

View of Waco Springs from the bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, February 16, 2007

3. View of Waco Springs from the bridge

Photo taken from north side of bridge, looking south towards the location of Waco Springs, site of the Waco Indian village

The Waco Suspension Bridge image. Click for full size.

February 16, 2007

4. The Waco Suspension Bridge

Southwest End of The Waco Suspension Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 14, 2016

5. Southwest End of The Waco Suspension Bridge

Marker is on the right side of the bridge behind the bull sculptures

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 14, 2016

6. The Waco Suspension Bridge

View to the northeast from the south bank of the Brazos River

Photographed by Richard Denney, July 14, 2010

7. The Waco Suspension Bridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,330 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 5, 6. submitted on May 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 7. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.