Brazoria Bridge
Also known as: Brazos River Bridge at Brazoria
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Why it's listed
Carrying State Highway 332 across the Brazos River just east of Brazoria, this 1,124-foot bridge has three riveted steel Parker through truss spans of about 222 feet each, set on tapered concrete piers, with steel I-beam approaches and cast concrete balustrades. It opened in 1939 as the second road bridge at this crossing; the first was built in 1912 and later condemned. Funding was unusual: the Public Works Administration paid 45 percent, and Brazoria County raised its share through 1938 road bonds, without state assistance. J.D. McKenzie of Haile & McClendon designed it as consulting engineer, influenced by State Bridge Engineer George Wickline's preference for the Parker truss, and Keliher Construction Company built it. Only five of the 40 Parker through truss bridges remaining in Texas are longer. The bridge was listed for its role in transportation, linking Houston and coastal towns, and for its engineering. It remains in good condition and in use.
Significance in brief: The bridge continues a historic river crossing and route that has been important to Brazoria County since 1912, linking Houston with coastal communities. It is also a surviving example of Public Works Administration work during the Great Depression. It is a major Parker through truss bridge reflecting 1930s Texas highway engineering.
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 91000783, listed June 14, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 0.9 mi. E of TX 36 on TX 332, Brazoria |
|---|---|
| County | Brazoria County |
| Listed | June 14, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000783 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1939-1941 |
| Architect / builder | McKenzie, J.D.; Wickline, G.G.; Keliher Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | Other: Parker Through Truss Bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition and remains in use, carrying State Highway 332 and providing access to downtown Brazoria. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.05433, -95.55711 (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 91000783.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001094
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.