Waco Suspension Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning the Brazos River at Bridge Street in Waco, this suspension bridge opened on January 7, 1870, and was the first bridge across the river. The nomination describes it as the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world at the time, with a 475-foot span. Waco stockholders chartered the project in 1866, and the company turned to the John A. Roebling Company in New York, which sent engineer Thomas M. Griffith to design it. Cables and parts were made in the East, shipped to Galveston, and hauled inland by rail and ox team. Two double towers of local pink brick, joined by arches over the roadway, are flanked by toll houses with stepped gables. The bridge worked as a toll crossing for twenty years before McLennan County bought it in 1889 and passed it to the city. Flood damage in 1885 led to a steel approach span, and the brick was later plastered over. It later became a pedestrian crossing.
Significance in brief: The nomination states it was the first bridge across the Brazos River and the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world when built. It is also noted for its engineering, architecture, commerce and transportation roles. Its towers and toll houses remain architecturally interesting despite later alterations.
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 70000850, listed June 22, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | At Bridge St., over the Brazos River, Waco |
|---|---|
| County | McLennan County |
| Listed | June 22, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000850 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1870 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas M. Griffith, engineer (sent by the John A. Roebling Company); Waco Bridge Company, Col. John T. Flint, President |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Waco and in good condition. The 1970 form says it was still in daily use; a 1974 letter says it was closed to motor traffic and used only as a footbridge. |
| Acreage | 8 |
| Coordinates | 31.56164, -97.12751 (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 70000850.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7958860
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.