Side view
Historic photos provided by the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department
BH Photo #100548
The bridge was constructed in 1870 and collapsed in January 1958.
When was this stone arch bridge built? And who Built it? It is a very interting design ! It looks European. I have searched the Arkanas State Hiway Department archives and the earliest I can go back is a steel and concrete through truss bridge built in 1928 to 1929. I was born in Batesville in 1953 and as long as I remenber I have seen the remaining center column of the bridge. I assume that the 1929 bridge was the replacement for the stone bridge.I have living in Las Vegas NV now for 30 years but this mystery still haunts me ! If anyone out there knows the awnser to my questions please send an e mail at twil.1
I have always wondered about this bridge. I see the remains of it every time I stop at the rest area going to Batesville.
Most of the time there are kids playing or swimming around it in the water.
I'll take some pics of what is still standing the next time I'm through there and post them.
This rock bridge over Salado Creek at Huff was built in 1870 and collapsed during a flood in 1928; a similar bridge was built downstream in 1870 and collapsed in 1958. The one that fell in 1928 was replaced by a new bridge which was replaced by the present bridge when Highway 167 South was widened in the early 2000's. The bridge that fell in 1958 was not replaced and is on private property. It is closed to the public. Col. John Adams Schnable, a German immigrant who lived at Jacksonport, architect and engineer,constructed both rock bridges.