Wilson County, Texas Labatt Road Bridge & more pony truss bridges. (original) (raw)

TEXAS HISTORIC BRIDGE

Labatt Road Bridge

Comprised of three steel spans measuring ninety-five feet each, the Warren polygonal chord pony trusses of this bridge are rare examples of the type in Texas. The bridge was originally located on Labatt Road (now county road 120) at the San Antonio River. In 1917 The Wilson County Commissioners Court hired the Alamo Construction Company of San Antonio to build the bridge for $12,000. The project was part of a major campaign to upgrade the local road network through the construction or improvement of twelve bridges in the county.

This bridge provided farmers and ranchers an easier route to deliver their crops and livestock to Labatt, a flag station on the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad approximately ten miles northwest of Floresville. Prefabricated components of the bridge originally were hauled by mule-drawn wagons from the rail line in Labatt to the river's edge for assembly on site. Despite damage sustained by the flood of September 27, 1946, the bridge continued to serve local residents for nearly nine decades.

After being taken out of vehicular service, the bridge was moved to this site in an effort to preserve it for public use. It now serves as a pedestrian landmark on the hike and bike trail developed by the City of Floresville with the cooperation of Wilson County, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, The Texas Department of Transportation and The Federal Highway Administration.

Project Year 2006

Historic Labatt Road Bridge Plaque
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2008

Looking over the Labatt Road Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2008

Pony bridge on the closed CR132
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2008

More views of the restored bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2008

Mueller Bridge ›
The three-span, 252-foot Mueller Bridge at McAlister Crossing

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