KSGenWeb - The Primary Source for Kansas Genealogy

Chase County Kansas Historical Sketches


1863 - 2003





BRIDGES OF FALLS TOWNSHIP

There are five major bridges in Falls Township at Cottonwood Falls; the Center Bridge one mile east of town: one east on the hill road across South Fork, known as the Sid Cahoone Bridge: the Miller Bridge about three miles east, across the, Cottonwood River; and one across the River about five miles east of town just north of the E.E. Andrews home.

Before these bridges were built, there were fords at or near their sites, but they were dangerous at times. There was a drowning at the Miller bridge and one at the Cahoone bridge.

The bridge at Cottonwood Falls was built in the early days, of steel construction. It connected Cottonwood Falls with Strong City (then Cotton wood) . In 1919, this was replaced by a concrete bridge, just a few feet below where the old bridge stood. This bridge has recently been condemned, and the new bridge will be built parallel to the railroad bridge; the change in K177 through town, missing the business district, will place the new bridge close to the railroad bridge. (1972)

The Cartter Bridge just east of town was built in 1885 and !s above flood stage. It is of steel construction, but the steel has deteriorated; It was recently condemned and closed to traffic.

The Miller Bridge is a steel bridge, built in 1890, and is still in good condition. (1972)

The South Fork or Cahoone Bridge was built in 1902 and is still in good condition; load limits are posted on it, as it was never too strong.

The Andrews Bridge was built of stone, quarried about one mile southwest of the site on land owned by Elmo Starkey at this time. It was built with three arches, and was a beautiful work of masonry; but, it always gave more or less trouble, as drift collected on the piers and had to be removed. It gave way a few years ago, and was replaced by a concrete bridge.

Beside the Railroad Bridge right east of town, there is one about 3 1/2 miles east of town on the El Dorado Branch of the A.T.S.F.

By: Wm. B. Selves

Chase County Centennial, 1872 - 1972




Chase County Submitted Historical Sketches
compiled and abstracted from the Chase County Courant, Chase County Leader, other sources and newspapers
by Lorna Marvin
Please submit your historical sketches.



Return to Chase County Submitted Historical Sketches


Background and KSGenWeb logo were designed and are copyrighted by
Tom & Carolyn Ward
for the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.
Permission is granted for use only on an official KSGenWeb page.
The USGenWeb Logo was designed by Linda Cole.

 
   
Check out these links!