From its original design to its life-saving preservation, the Cotter Bridge in Arkansas is one-of-a-kind in multiple regards. No matter if you’re an avid bridge hunter or just enjoy a good bridge pic, today’s feature will provide! Let’s cross that bridge when we get there.
Unless you’re already living in the area, you may have missed Cotter Bridge.
Google/Jason Wilhm The bridge crosses the White River on what is now US-62 between Flippin and Cotter. The bridge has quite a few unique features, most of which come from its construction.
The Cotter Bridge was constructed by the Marsh Engineering Company in 1930.
Wikipedia/Louise Taft This was the only bridge built by Marsh in the state of Arkansas. Cotter Bridge was also one of the largest designs created by the Des Moines, Iowa company using their Marsh Rainbow Arch patent.
A bridge was essential to providing access to the Ozarks but it nearly never came to be.
Google/Jamie Watson At the time, the nearest road crossing the White River was over 100 miles north in Missouri. Residents of Cotter used a ferry system but the flux of the river made this unreliable. A bridge was needed but the state lacked funds.
In 1927 the Arkansas Department of Transportation was able to secure nine approved toll bridge sites but Cotter almost didn’t make the list. Allegedly, Baxter County Judge R. M. Ruthven (a huge proponent of the bridge) stole the report stating Cotter didn’t have the traffic to support a bridge before the Arkansas Highway Commission made their decision. Without the report, Cotter was able to be approved for a bridge.
Today the bridge still stands and provides access to endless adventures in the Ozarks.
Flickr/Dave Thomas Besides providing a way between Point A to Point B, Cotter Bridge also has plenty of surrounding attractions. See the bridge while trout fishing below the arches or head to Big Springs Park nearby.
The next time you’re driving over Cotter Bridge you’ll know it’s one subtle but important piece of Arkansas history.
Google Maps Not only does the construction make it unique but so does its preservation. The bridge was nearly torn down in 80s but the community rallied and saved the bridge. It became the first National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in Arkansas. It was later placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 as well.
Have you crossed Cotter Bridge before? We’d love to hear about your Cotter adventures in the comments below! You can nominate your favorite local business that you found or add your outdoor photos to our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers!
Google/Jason Wilhm
The bridge crosses the White River on what is now US-62 between Flippin and Cotter. The bridge has quite a few unique features, most of which come from its construction.
Wikipedia/Louise Taft
This was the only bridge built by Marsh in the state of Arkansas. Cotter Bridge was also one of the largest designs created by the Des Moines, Iowa company using their Marsh Rainbow Arch patent.
Google/Jamie Watson
At the time, the nearest road crossing the White River was over 100 miles north in Missouri. Residents of Cotter used a ferry system but the flux of the river made this unreliable. A bridge was needed but the state lacked funds.
In 1927 the Arkansas Department of Transportation was able to secure nine approved toll bridge sites but Cotter almost didn’t make the list. Allegedly, Baxter County Judge R. M. Ruthven (a huge proponent of the bridge) stole the report stating Cotter didn’t have the traffic to support a bridge before the Arkansas Highway Commission made their decision. Without the report, Cotter was able to be approved for a bridge.
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Besides providing a way between Point A to Point B, Cotter Bridge also has plenty of surrounding attractions. See the bridge while trout fishing below the arches or head to Big Springs Park nearby.
Google Maps
Not only does the construction make it unique but so does its preservation. The bridge was nearly torn down in 80s but the community rallied and saved the bridge. It became the first National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in Arkansas. It was later placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 as well.
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Address: Cotter, AR 72626, USA
