Cotter Railroad Bridge

The Cotter Bridge photos below were taken by me but posted to the RR bridge, so I'll post RR bridge pictures here also. Visted the bridges about 5 pm on 2 March 2007. As mentioned below the RR bridge is best photographed from the west bank parking lot and from the overlook on Hwy 62. The RR crossing at the west bank also gives a good perspective of the tracks running under the smaller Cotter Bridge arch. There is a large ring gear on the center pier so this bridge would have pivoted when built. None of the other swing mechanisms remain.

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

This bridge has not moved in my lifetime...in other words since early in 1959. I grew up visiting my grandparents who lived about 3/4s of the way up the hill on Hwy 62 in Cotter on the river side. We could see this bridge, and the entrance to the tunnel from my grandpa's deck and back yard. A man named Frank Young (my grandpa's best fishin buddy), who grew up in Cotter, (the old water tower was in his back yard at the top of the hill)said the bridge was unique because it went directly into the tunnel.

Riley, this is a bridge you should see if you are in the area. The center cement pier is round and the bridge sits on a large cog wheel gear. I believe I was told there use to be a little operator cab on the side of the bridge at the center. It was motorized, (I don't know how, electric or gasoline engine?) and the bridge turned sideways to allow steamboats to pass up and down the White River. The center span is now mostly over dry ground, as the course of the river has shifted.

There is a nice book about the White River Railway written by Walter Adams, if you could get a copy if it. It is no longer in print, but one might showup on Ebay.

If you would care to email me direct I will send you a photo I took last Sunday of the large center pivot gear.

I hope this is helpful.

Dave near Branson, Mo.

I would like to know where I could find more information about this particular bridge.