This abandoned bridge is located near the waterworks plant east of US 56 at the Dragoon Creek Bridge. The area south of the bridge is private property.
Photo taken by Robert Elder in March 2007
BH Photo #112581
Hi Ciara:
I am not certain who owns the land to the south. I generally rely on county GIS maps to find ownership. Some counties provide more online resources than other counties, so this can be a bit of a hit or miss venture.
http://www.osageco.org/CountyDepartments/Appraiser/tabid/364...
I traced my family back to here -- Nicolay family? I can't remember which of my family it was, Johann Jakob Nicolay or Jacob Ephraim Nicolay, but I've traced my family back to here and when they purchased the land. Is it still owned by the Nicolay family?
Dude You Rock!
Rolled up on this one via access road yesterday, very pretty spot....added more photos, waterfall right next to it, fun visit
That is a great story! It really illustrates how a bridge can add character to a region.
Always love to hear the fascinating stories involving historic bridges. I share some of the same sentiments of my earlier lifetime as well. Maybe you could scan and post your drawing of this span for us to see.
I loved this bridge. I remember Dad and Mom would make a special trip west of highway 75 just so I could go over this bridge as we made our way down to Burlington, Ks to visit my great-grandmother in the 1950's. This bridge was so special to me I did a 24 x 28 pen and ink drawing of it with the 1896 plate attached to the top of the bridge. I did this picture in the 1970's when it was still open to traffic. I lived in Wakarusa at the time. This bridge, among others, inspired me recently in the last 3 years to do now 13 bridges in pen and ink and ink and watercolor using a pointilism process. I now have bridges from Kansas, Oklahoma (where I live), Missouri, and Arkansas. And to think that thru truss, iron bridge on the Dragoon was my earliest inspiration. Along with standing on the Kansas Avenue Bridge at age 5 and feeling the rush of the '51 flood water about 2 feet under me. Thank you Bob Elder (and others too) who make it your goal to photograph all these wonderful bridges.
Hi Ciara:
Also check out a comment below from a possible relative with his email address.
Let us know what you find out.