Angelina River Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying U.S. Highway 59 across the Angelina River at Lufkin, this poured concrete bridge was completed in 1935 at a cost of $120,000. It replaced an older iron bridge and rests on concrete piers, with square balusters, chamfered rails, and marble reflectors on the end stanchions. The deck was poured in sections about twenty-five feet long. The main channel span measures 1,954 feet, and the overall width is 27 feet, an exceptional length for Texas. Designed by bridge engineer G.G. Wickline and built by Russ Mitchell, Inc., it reflects the road-building programs of the 1930s that followed the creation of the Texas Highway Department in 1917. Better access across the river also supported federal timberland acquisition and Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the county. It is considered the only unaltered bridge of its type in Angelina County and one of few such unaltered examples in the state. Significance is claimed locally in transportation and engineering.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge represents 1930s public works and is a good example of its style. It is one of few unaltered examples in Texas and the only unaltered bridge of its type in Angelina County. At nearly 2000 feet, it is exceptionally long for Texas, and it improved access to the county during the 1930s federal forestry and conservation programs.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88002801, listed December 22, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | US 59 over Angelina River, Lufkin |
|---|---|
| County | Angelina County |
| Listed | December 22, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002801 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1935 |
| Architect / builder | G.G. Wickline, Bridge Engineer; contractor Russ Mitchell, Inc. |
| Architectural style | Span Bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is as a highway bridge; condition described as fair with relatively few alterations. A parallel, separate bridge carries northbound one-way traffic, and the Texas Highway Department plans to widen the bridge. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.45723, -94.72623 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88002801.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4762746
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.