OPINION

Aug 06, 2023

Up until very recently, travel around and across the state of Arkansas was a difficult task.

Roads of the 18th century were nearly impassable, muddy and full of ruts and stumps. Even more difficult was the task of crossing the many streams and creeks that dot the landscape. Arkansas was the land of ferrys. Ferrys were transport boats that were capable of carrying humans, animals, and wagons across spans of water. They were of special importance in crossing the larger bodies of water like the Arkansas River and they were found at every major town up and down it.

It's hard to believe that no bridges crossing the Arkansas River existed until 1873, when the Baring Cross Bridge was built connecting North Little Rock to Little Rock.

Dardanelle found an interesting solution to the bridge problem when they built the largest pontoon bridge in existence connecting them to the north bank at Russellville. It consisted of a series of seventy-two boats overlaid with wooden planks.

It opened for traffic in 1891 and for the small feel of 5 cents an individual could walk across the span to the other side. The cost for wagons was 25 cents and when cars came along, they were charged 50 cents. When a steamboat needed to pass up or down the river, several of the boats were allowed to swing free to provide an opening through which the boat passed. Then the pontoons were pulled back into place and connected so that the bridge was ready again for use.

Eventually it was replaced in the 1920s by a traditional bridge.

The bridge linking Memphis to Arkansas was not completed until 1916. Prior to that, people driving automobiles had to make a choice: use a ferry or travel to St. Louis to cross.

As you travel through Fort Smith, you often cross Free Ferry street. It is named appropriately for it once lead to the crossing over the Arkansas River to Van Buren. It was replaced in 1886 by the first span that connected the two cities- a steel construction used by the railroads.

Recognized nationally as one of the sixteen most beautiful long span bridges in America is the bridge at Ozark. Construction for it began in 1929 and it opened a year later as a toll bridge. It took the place of a ferry that had existed dating back to Civil War times and was viewed as a great asset opening up trade between areas north and south of the river.

I can remember when the bridge was upgraded and repaired when I was a small child. When it's lighted at night, it is one of most beautiful sights along the river and stands as the symbol for the city of Ozark.

Zipping across the bridge from Morrison Bluff to Clarksville, one realizes this convenience is one of very recent construction. Up until 1980, one had to travel to Dardanelle or Ozark to cross the Arkansas River to go northward. The span is one of the longest in the state and served to cut travel distance for the people of the River Valley.

We take so much for granted. Those bridges that were constructed in our recent past are important in connecting us to other businesses and our friends in neighboring towns. They are the bridges that will continue to connect us in the future.

Print Headline: Bridges of the past connect us to the future

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