Washed away by a flood then rebuilt stronger Moore’s Crossing Bridge stands as a testament to resilience. This isn’t just any bridge. It’s a piece of Austin’s history literally pieced together.
Before you stands the Moore’s Crossing Bridge Plaque a bronze marker telling the story of this remarkable structure. It originally spanned the Colorado River on Congress Avenue. The King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company of Cleveland Ohio built it in 1884. Imagine the bustling city life it witnessed.
In 1910 the bridge was deemed obsolete. Its six spans were dismantled and stored. Five years later three of those spans found a new home here at Moore’s Crossing. A spring flood in 1915 sadly swept away this initial attempt. Undeterred the remaining spans were incorporated into a new bridge completed in 1922. The Austin Bridge Company of Dallas finished the construction. The plaque proudly proclaims its designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1980.
But the story of Moore’s Crossing Bridge doesn’t end there. By 1980 increased traffic threatened the bridge’s stability. County officials faced a tough decision. Repairing the one-lane bridge was costly. A new four-lane bridge was deemed a better solution. The old bridge was closed to vehicles and transformed into a pedestrian crossing. Today you can walk its historic spans and feel the weight of history under your feet.
The Moore’s Crossing Bridge Plaque. A simple marker. A profound story. This bridge is not just concrete and steel. It’s a symbol of ingenuity adaptation and the enduring spirit of Austin. It’s a bridge across time connecting past present and future. Its unique history makes it a must-see destination for anyone who loves history.