The Waco Suspension Bridge
TEXAS
THE WACO SUSPENSION BRIDGE
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
CONSTRUCTION
BEGAN IN 1868 AND, AFTER MUCH
WITHIN FIVE MILES.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, WAS FINISHED
IN 1870. BRIDGE TRAFFIC INCLUDED
WAGONS, PEDESTRIANS, AND CATTLE
SPECIAL RATES WERE GIVEN
HERDS.
TO HEAVY USERS. FROM 1875 TO 1889
THE PUBLIC AGITATED FOR A FREE
BRIDGE, BUT THE COMPANY RETAINED
ITS MONOPOLY. THEN, IN 1889, THE
SOLD TO MCLENNAN
BRIDGE WAS
COUNTY WHICH GAVE IT TO THE CITY
OF WACO AS A FREE BRIDGE.
(1976)