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i RECEIVED 2280 NPS Form 10-800-b OMB No. 1024-0018 (June 1991) United States Department of the Interior StP-91996 National Park Service 'REGISTER OF HISTORIC PIA CES National Register of Historic Places HAT'NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.. Multiple Property Documentation Form This form is used for documenting multiple property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See instructions in How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (National Register Bulletin 168). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use continuation sheets (Form 10-900-a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer to complete all items. x New Submission Amended Submission A. Name of Multiple Property Listing Historic Bridges of Texas, 1866-1945 B. Associated Historic Contexts (Name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological period for each.) Historic Bridges of Texas, 1866-1945 C. Form Prepared by name/lllie Barbara Stocklin, Historic Preservation Planner organization Texas Department of Transportation _ date jSejat ember _ 1996 _ street & number 125 East llth Street telephone 5.12/4.L6=2628__... city or town Austin slate Texas zip code _78701._ ____ _ D. Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form I meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60 and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. (O See continuation sheet for additional commentsj ^*~*\ /? /? Signature and title of certifying official """ Date ' ' State Historic Preservation Officer, Texas Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau ! I hereby certify that this multiple property documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating related properties for listing in the National Register. Signature of the Keeper Date of Action NFS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-66) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _E Page 1 Historic Bridges of Texas STATEMENT OF HISTORIC CONTEXTS HISTORIC BRIDGES OF TEXAS, 1866-1945 I. GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS Since the early 1800s, bridge designers and builders in Texas have encountered diverse topography, extreme weather variations, and a wide range of soils and drainage.. Topographical conditions are particularly varied in the eastern two-thirds of the state, presenting bridge designers and builders with a significant challenge. This large area, encompassing the Interior Lowlands and Coastal Lowlands regions of Texas, exhibits a topography ranging from dense forests and rocky hill country to rolling plains, coastal prairies and low-lying marshlands. Sparse vegetation, thin soils and steep slopes produce high velocity runoff and currents in several large river basins, such as the Brazos, Colorado and Trinity, compelling bridge engineers to use long span lengths with relatively few piers. Areas with rocky soils, such as those in Central Texas, can carry bridge foundations to bedrock fairly easily, eliminating the need for unusual or difficult foundation designs. Some of the areas along the Gulf Coast and in East Texas, however, have soft clay and marshland soils that often require relatively short spans and deep foundation pilings. 1 The extensive network of rivers, streams and tributaries found in the Coastal Lowlands are particularly prone to severe flooding, drift accumulation and fast flowing currents. Weather disturbances of tropical origin are responsible for the tremendous flood-producing storms that affect this area of the state. Seasonal floods can quickly turn small intermittent streams into fast-flowing torrents of water that wreak havoc and destruction on roads and bridges. From the state's earliest history, there are tales of floods that washed bridges downstream, destroyed timber approach spans and undermined bridge piers. Tropical storms, navigational factors and the presence of islands and peninsulas along the Gulf of Mexico have also influenced bridge design and construction across the Gulf and the lower Sabine River, affecting the strength, length and height of many spans.2 The arid, flat regions of west Texas and the Panhandle have presented the bridge engineer with few opportunities for bridge construction. With its infrequent streams and rivers and predominantly dry climate, this region of the Great Plains has historically required relatively few bridge crossings. The Trans-Pecos Region in far west Texas is an isolated region of the state with low annual rainfall and no significant surface streams other than the Rio Grande. The region was under the control of the Comanches and Apaches for much of the 19th century and no significant Anglo settlement occurred until after Texas became a state in 1845. Low population density resulted in little demand for roads and bridges in this area during the state's first hundred years. Deep canyons and the potential for cloudbursts and heavy rainstorms in the Davis and Guadalupe mountains (which form part of the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States) continued to impede transportation advances in that area of the state for decades to come.3 NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-66) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _E Page 2 Historic Bridges of Texas II. TRANSPORTATION ON THE EARLY TEXAS FRONTIER The development and evolution of Texas is reflected and, to a great extent, shaped by efforts to improve transportation, with rivers, streams and other bodies of water playing a critical and prominent role in this history. The earliest transportation routes in the state were Indian paths that were subsequently followed by Spanish explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries. These paths generally marked the easiest line of travel: avoiding natural obstacles, staying near sources of food and water, and crossing streams at narrow shallow points. In the early 18th century, the Spanish consolidated their claims to Texas, establishing a line of missions and presidios along the same basic routes followed in earlier explorations. These roads generally extended in a northeasterly direction from Mexico, passing through Laredo and Presidio del Rio Grande at the border, connecting early settlements such as San Antonio, Nacogdoches, Goliad, and Victoria, and continuing into Louisiana. Because of Indian depredations and extreme weather conditions, the Spanish settlements stagnated and in some cases declined. The roads never evolved beyond primitive paths serving as seasonal trails for travel by explorers, pioneers and traders.4 With Mexico gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Anglo-American land promoters began surveying and mapping major settlement routes into Texas, and immigrants began rushing over the Sabine and Red rivers from Louisiana and Arkansas. Between 1821 and 1835, Stephen F. Austin and others received land grants from the Mexican government permitting some 13,500 families to come to Texas, An established route was not always available for a settler's entire journey through the vast Texas territory. More often than not, travelers had to blaze their own trails into the wilderness, with river and stream crossings providing the most hazardous and laborious conditions.5 One sojourner, recalling the difficulties of travel, commented: At crossing places of streams, the banks would have to be worked in order to get over at all. If creeks were up, they would often be compelled to camp for days at a time in order to cross. It was always the rule when traveling to cross a stream when reached, if practicable, before camping, so as to be on the farther side when morning came.6 However frightening these early transportation experiences were, the difficulties did not deter the flood of immigrants coming to Texas. Many of these pioneers settled near rivers, expecting that they would facilitate trade and transportation. Mexican decrees called for the improvement of several Texas rivers, including the Guadalupe, Brazos and Colorado; however, few if any successful efforts were made to clear rivers of accumulated drift, deposits, rafts and other obstacles during the Mexican period. In the 1830s, steamboats made successful if limited runs on the Brazos, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, Guadalupe and Red rivers. The turnaround point was dictated by the depth of water and the presence of obstacles; the schedule and route therefore varied seasonally. Many rivers were suitable for navigation only after heavy rains and were typically shallow enough to ford. These conditions hindered large-scale navigation for commerce but allowed limited seasonal travel in certain regions of the state near the coast.7 NFS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-66) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _E Page 3 Historic Bridges of Texas From 1821 to 1836, the population of Texas (excluding native Indians) grew from about 2,240 to about 39,470, an increase of more than 700 percent. Despite the growth in population,

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