Esch's Spur probably refers to Bernard P. Esch, Stockraiser, Liberty Township, Section 33, named in the 1905 Geo A. Ogle & Co atlas. The map of Liberty township shows the 1/4 section to the north of this road owned by (Wm. H.?) Kirk and to the south by Catherine Esch, with the residence of B. P. Esch. A short piece of rail runs parallel to the Missouri Pacific line and is labeled Esch Spur.
I ventured out today to view this bridge and the unfortunate side is this bridge is about to be a lost bridge. The hole in the deck now allows you about 18" on he south side of the bridge to walk across. I am afraid the next good flood that Grouse Creek receives it will claim yet another magnificent bridge. I will post a couple photos when I get time to edit them.
I have posted a picture of the plaque. Built in 1913. It is called the Kirks bridge. Esch's Spur referred to the rail line that passed near there. You can read the rest on the plaque.
There is an inscription on the upstream side of what has come to be known as "Esch's Spur" bridge. It reads: KIRK BRIDGE. At least, I think it does. Plus, there are several more lines of information that we could not discern. Anyone able to read more? There is so much debris abutted against the bridge now that it might be able to climb up to the inscription and take a rubbing!
Sad reminder of a similar situation that happened near me a few years back...
http://bridgehunter.com/in/shelby/middletown/