Springfield Bridge

wat would I pick for the strongest bridge out of Truss or Arc bridge and why?

I'm amazed to see photos of this bridge on the internet! I rode over it in uncle's old truck, walked over it on foot while hunting, and fished from it during summers back in the '50s. Didn't know it was still there.

My wife Lynda & I love your website, & love bridge hunting. Thank you for directing us to this beauty of a bridge.

I attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from the spring of 1975 through the spring of 1978. During that time I must have driven on every gravel road in Faulkner County - there couldn't have been many I missed. Chances are that I crossed this bridge at some point but I don't know for sure. Then during the early 1990s, I visited an old college buddy who was living in Conway, and we went driving up that way. We saw the old Springfield Bridge as we approached the modern bridge that replaced it. We stopped and walked out on the old bridge, neither of us aware that it was the oldest bridge still standing in Arkansas (as I understand it), having been built in 1874, etc. I found out about its history in late 2005 or early 2006, so my brother and I drove up to the bridge on April 1, 2006. Yeah, it was April Fool's Day, but never mind that. I took some photos, but none that show anything you haven't already seen on this website, with two exceptions. Attached are two photos of a Black Rat Snake that was at least temporarily making itself at home on the bridge.

Living in this area, I have visited this bridge numerous times and am still awed by it. Even in it's deteriorated condition, it is still unique and beautiful, and worth making the trip to visit. For me, my ancestors lived in Springfield in the mid 1800's, and to think they traveled across this bridge often makes it even more special for me. As the oldest bridge in Arkansas, I wish someone could preserve it a little before it completely rots and falls into the Creek. I've also seen where other towns have relocated old bridges to parks and restored it in order to preserve the history of it. Either way, maybe someone can help this one before it's too late.

Visted this bridge on 7 Nov. 2006 at 2:00 pm. I had visited this bridge about 15 years ago and it has deteriorated considerably. The old road bed has been blocked and is overgrown on the east side. A large section of deck planks are missing from the west side. One 10 or 12 ft. plank has been relocted to be able to walk across "CAREFULLY". Leaf litter accumulation was considerable and has accelerated decay. It is still worth seeing and studying. It cannot be seen from the county road except during "leaf off". Not visible from replacement bridge 200 yds. upstream.

Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.

My husband and I were curious to see this bridge in person. We were not familiar with the area, but we found the easiest way to get to this bridge is to travel North on Hwy 25 out of Conway to 285 North to Bono. Turn left (west) onto Springfield Road; travel approx 1.5 miles. Just before the new concrete bridge look to the left (south) for a small dirt road. The old bridge cannot be seen from the new bridge. The historical marker that was placed on a large boulder is gone. Someone has cut out the remaining boards on the south end of the bridge so it is not easy to completely walk the bridge. This is a wonderful old bridge, full of character and was built with large timbers, iron, nuts and bolts to last. I hope someone will replace the plaque or erect some kind of info about this bridge at the site...maybe even replace the missing boards so it will be at least foot traffic passable. Thanks for this website! We plan to visit many more bridges!

close to 20 years ago a local organization here in the Conway area put out a calender featuring this bridge. here in faulkner county, it is known as the "Springfield/Des Arc" bridge. the reason for that according to the caption on the calender is that this bridge lay on a prominent trade route. the road this bowstring was on connected Springfield and Conway county area to a major river port on the White river farther east at Des Arc in Prairie county.