Little Missouri Bridge

Little Missouri Bridge. . , The Little Missouri River was a challenge for motorists. Motorists had to ford the river or wait for a railroad crew to carry their autos across on a flatcar., Construction of a transcontinental highway system began in 1912. The lack of proper river crossings impeded the highway’s progress., Because Medora lacked the finances to build a bridge, the National Parks Highway Association solicited donations from communities along the route. In the spirit of “boosting” the region linked by the highway, donations from $800 to $1,700 were collected to raise funds. For a time the span was known locally as “The Bridge That Boost Built.”, In 1915, the Illinois Steel Bridge Company was contracted to build the bridge. The narrow, steel-truss structure consisted of three 137-foot 9-inch spans supported by 24-foot high steel piers, resting upon a 10-foot thick concrete base. The final cost was $14,580. Grade and road fees were $3,200., The bridge dedication took place on July 24, 1916. A large crowd gathered to hear well-known North Dakota poet James W. Foley, Jr., a Medora native, read an original composition entitled “The Building of the Bridge.”, The 1916 bridge across the Little Missouri continued in use until replaced in 1942 by a 32-foot wide bridge. ,