Austin Bridge
The King Bridge Company constructed the Austin Bridge in 1872. The 160-foot bowstring arch design would span the Neosho River east of what is now Chanute. The pioneers invested $15,000 in the bridge for their economic future of getting livestock and crops to the railhead.
In 1910 the bridge was moved down stream to the community of Austin. In 1972 it was closed to vehicular traffic, remaining open to foot traffic. On September 15, 1977 the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In August of 1999 the bridge was moved into Santa Fe Park to become the southern terminus of a 3.11-mile hike/bike path. A Federal grant, Neosho County and City of Chanute supplied funding for the project.
The Santa Fe Railroad enlarged a natural lake as a water source for their steam engines in 1911. The Santa Fe Railroad gave the lake, adjacent land, and the 762 Steam Engine to the City. Additional acreage was secured to create Santa Fe Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1999.
Location. 37° 39.404′ N, 95° 27.183′ W. Marker is in Chanute, Kansas, in Neosho County. It is at the intersection of Santa Fe Avenue and Little Turkey
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Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, 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 Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Osage City (within shouting distance of this marker); Chanute Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Octave Chanute and "The Problem of The Ages" (approx. 1.7 miles away); Octave Chanute and the Founding of the Town of Chanute (approx. 1.7 miles away); Octave Chanute's Progress in Flying Machines (approx. 1.7 miles away); Thoughts on a Successful Flying Machine (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chanute.
Also see . . .
1. Austin Bridge (Santa Fe Park Bridge). Historic Bridges website entry (Submitted on May 9, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Austin Bridge National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on January 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Austin Bridge National Register of Historic Places Continuation Form. (Submitted on January 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 901 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
