This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1927: Bryan-Fannin

Telephone, Bonham vicinity, Fannin County, Texas and Bryan County, Oklahoma, USA - Red River
Bridgemeister ID:602 (added 2003-01-11)
Year Completed:1927
Name:Bryan-Fannin
Also Known As:Telephone, Snow's Ferry, Bryant-Fannin
Location:Telephone, Bonham vicinity, Fannin County, Texas and Bryan County, Oklahoma, USA
Crossing:Red River
Coordinates:33.844484 N 96.011125 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Austin Bridge Co.
References:AUB, PTS2
Use:Vehicular
Status:Collapsed, December, 1940
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:3
Main Span:1
Side Spans:2

Notes:

  • Sometimes referenced as "Bryant-Fannin". The bridge unquestionably connected Fannin County to Bryan County, Oklahoma, but according to a www.rootsweb.com article (Fannin County TXGenWeb - Ferry's in Fannin County, from Pat Pryor, by Kathy J. Ellis) it was erected at a site known as "Bryant's Crossing" named for a local, Dave Bryant. The Steinman inventory lists it as "Bryan-Fannin". AUB mentions it as "Bryant-Fannin". The Rootsweb article also mentions it collapsed in 1940 under weight of a truck.
  • An article in the December 6, 1940 issue of The Port Arthur News (Texas) titled: "Suspension Bridge Plunges Into Red River" describes the collapse: "Owners of a $75,000 tollbridge which plunged into the Red River Wednesday when a suspension cable anchor pulled loose were undecided today whether it would be rebuilt. The bridge, owned by the Austin Bridge company of Dallas, was near Telephone, Tex., 12 miles north of here, and was several miles from a principal highway. Most of the traffic from the Bonham area toward Oklahoma is across a structure built recently to replace a toll bridge at nearby Sowell's bluff that collapsed in 1930. Mrs. Jim Freeman, toll keeper, said she heard a 'rumble' and looked up to see the 'deadman anchor' pull loose, throwing the entire weight of the 1,300 foot span on the other cable. It snapped, and the flooring and steel framework of the bridge sagged into the water. No one was on the structure when it fell."
  • Remains of three piers are still visible, 2019.

Find bridges within of this bridge's location (N 33.844484 W 96.011125)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


Mail | Facebook | Twitter