This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.
| Bridgemeister ID: | 140 (added before 2003) |
| Year Completed: | 1924 |
| Name: | Nocona |
| Also Known As: | Bluff, Ketchum Bluff, Ketchum's Bluff |
| Location: | Nocona vicinity, Texas and Jefferson County, Oklahoma, USA |
| Crossing: | Red River |
| At or Near Feature: | Ketchum Bluff |
| Coordinates: | 33.93579 N 97.75869 W |
| Maps: | Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap |
| Principals: | Austin Bridge Co. |
| References: | AUB, HAERTX98, PTS2 |
| Use: | Vehicular |
| Status: | Only towers remain (last checked: 2007) |
| Main Cables: | Wire (steel) |
| Main Span: | 1 x 213.4 meters (700 feet) |
Notes:
- Legend has it the bridge was burned during a dispute. This likely occurred before 1955. Some sources suggest it occurred before or during 1950. The road that leads to the Texas side of the former crossing is "Burned Out Bridge Road." Follow the image of the derelict tower to see the remains of the bridge.
- AUB mentions: "In January 1924, a contract was entered into with Nocona Bridge Company for a bridge across Red River, nine miles north of Nocona, connecting Texas and Oklahoma. The plans called for a 700' span, 16' roadway, and the main cables to contain 1,000 No. 9 galvanized wires each. The building of this, [the Austin Bridge Company's] first complete cable bridge, and the experience gained therefrom helped to launch Austin Bridge Company into an interesting and profitable line of work."
External Links:
- Nocona Suspension Bridge at Ketchum Bluff, Texas. University of Texas Arlington Libraries Digital Gallery
Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.