Fort Smith-Van Buren Free Bridge

If you look closely, you can sometimes see remnants of the piers in the middle of the river.

THERE WAS SOME FORM OF UPDATING OR REPAIRS DONE TO THIS BRIDGE IN 1946-47 BY KANSAS CITY BRIDGE CO.

MY FATHER, ATWILL REED HUTCHINGS WAS A FOREMAN ON THIS PROJECT. HIS FRIEND OF MANY YEARS, SAM YURBY (SAM BOUGHT THE CLIFF'S THAT OVERLOOK FORT SMITH IN VAN BUREN. HE MANY YEARS LATER RETIRED THERE.) WAS ALSO A FOREMAN.

I WENT TO KINDEGARDEN IN FORTSMITH.

I STILL REMEMBER, SEARS STORE INSTALLED THE FIRST ESCALLATOR IN FORT SMITH. PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL AROUND TO SEE AND RIDE IT. I WAS BETWEEN 4 TO 5 YRS OLD.

THIS IS A PHOTO OF ATWILL REED HUTCHINGS

ROBERT REED HUTCHINGS

THERE WAS SOME FORM OF UPDATING OR REPAIRS DONE TO THIS BRIDGE IN 1946-47 BY KANSAS CITY BRIDGE CO.

MY FATHER, ATWILL REED HUTCHINGS WAS A FOREMAN ON THIS PROJECT. HIS FRIEND OF MANY YEARS, SAM YURBY (SAM BOUGHT THE CLIFF'S THAT OVERLOOK FORT SMITH IN VAN BUREN. HE MANY YEARS LATER RETIRED THERE.) WAS ALSO A FOREMAN.

I WENT TO KINDEGARDEN IN FORTSMITH.

I STILL REMEMBER, SEARS STORE INSTALLED THE FIRST ESCALLATOR IN FORT SMITH. PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL AROUND TO SEE AND RIDE IT. I WAS BETWEEN 4 TO 5 YRS OLD.

ROBERT REED HUTCHINGS

Photo #10.....another tombstone........

I'm willing to bet the flood pictures are of the great 1927 Flood

ATT: Mr. Gene McCluney Feb 18, 2010

Mr. David Backlin

Dear Sir's

Thank you very much for posting the Photos of the "Fort Smith-Van Buren Free Bridge" they are great and brings back memories for my earlier years from the 50's and 60's! I just can't foreget this great bridge and this is the first History I have seen about the bridge. It also reminds me way back when, and the special times Christmas shopping on Garrison Avenue with all the people crowding the Store front sidewalks,was a very special time back during the 50's and 60's. Once again, Thank you for showing the Photos!