Canadian in Hemphill County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Canadian River Wagon Bridge

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 17, 2016

1. Canadian River Wagon Bridge Marker

Inscription. In 1915, Hemphill County contracted to erect a bridge to span the Canadian River. Construction of the Canadian River Wagon Bridge was completed in July, 1916. The bridge was comprised of seventeen 153.5 ft. pin-connected Parker through-truss spans; the dimensions being 16 ft. in width and 2,635 ft. in total length. After its completion it was said to be the largest steel structure west of the Mississippi. In 1923, it fell victim to the raging waters of the Canadian River which cut a new channel around the north end of the bridge necessitating the extension on the north end of four identical spans and an approach span. The bridge’s 3,255 ft. length now made it the longest pin-connected bridge in Texas.

In recent years a committee of interested citizens raised funds, along with matching grants, to renovate the bridge, laying wooden planked flooring, decking, and installing side-guard railings to create a walking bridge. After five years of hard work, the Canadian River Wagon Bridge was reopened on July 1, 2000. It was restored as part of a new scenic hiking and biking trail over the Canadian River Valley and wetlands habitat.

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in times past a horse-drawn wagon or a Model T loaded with people or groceries crossing a wide and mighty Canadian River. Today as you walk this historic bridge keep a keen eye on the riverbed and you might catch a glimpse of an occasional bobcat, turkey, or deer.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1916.

Location. 35° 56.228′ N, 100° 22.264′ W. Marker is in Canadian, Texas, in Hemphill County. It can be reached from U.S. 60 0.1 miles south of U.S. 83. Marker can be reached by walking 0.2 miles on old road bed, from a parking lot on west side of US-60. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canadian TX 79014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 17, 2016

2. Canadian River Wagon Bridge Marker

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Canadian River Trails (approx. one mile away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. one mile away); Hemphill County (approx. one mile away); Robert R. Young (approx. one mile away); Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Tom T. McGee (approx. 1.6 miles away); Moody Hotel (approx. 1.7 miles away); First National Bank of Canadian (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canadian.

Canadian River Wagon Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 17, 2016

3. Canadian River Wagon Bridge

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 17, 2016

4. Canadian River Wagon Bridge

Photographed by Wesley Harris, December 20, 2022

5. Canadian River Wagon Bridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 5, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on May 18, 2023, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana.