History

10 Must See Bridges in the Hill Country

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Tony Maples Photography

 

4. Bunton Branch Bridge

Ten Must See Bridges in the Hill Country

Photo: Larry D. Moore

The need for improved mail delivery between Austin and San Antonio provided the incentive to build the Bunton Branch Bridge in Hays County. The oldest concrete bridge in the county (constructed in 1915), the bridge’s archway rises from a natural rock base lodged in a tributary of Plum Creek. The federal government dedicated funding for Country Road 210 making it the first federally funded highway in Texas. This project also included funding for the bridge. This is another bridge perfect for a Hill Country photo project.

5. Coupland Bridge

Ten Must See Bridges in the Hill Country

Coupland Bridge prior to closure amid safety concerns. Photo: flickr.com/cvreeland

Fleetingly famous for its appearance in the movie “Secondhand Lions”, the Coupland Bridge on County Road 456 crosses Brushy Creek. Built in 1912, the wooden timber and girder bridge closed to traffic in 2014 for safety reasons. Because of the areas dwindling rural population, Williamson County along with the state are studying the feasibility of repairing and reopening the bridge. For now, it makes a great place for leaning your elbows on its railings and enjoying the scenery.

6. Blanco State Park Bridge

Ten Must See Bridges in the Hill Country

Photo: Billy Moore, LCRA

In the 1930s, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) putting many unemployed young men back to work throughout the country. Paid $30 weekly, these men lived in barracks, received three daily, and wore uniforms. They worked on projects designed to conserve each state’s natural beauty and resources. The CCC built the Blanco State Park bridge arching over a tributary of the Blanco River in 1934. Be sure to check out this bridge when wandering around Blanco State Park.

7. Congress Avenue Bridge

Ten Must See Bridges in the Hill Country
Photo: Peter Potrowl

Thanks to a part-time resident flying rodent population, the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge in Austin garners thousands of visitors each year. Originally built in 1910, engineers refurbished the bridge in 1980 not realizing they were creating the future home of the largest urban bat colony in the world. Swirling tornadoes of Mexican free-tailed bats erupt from underneath the crevices of the bridge at dusk from May until September. Today, projects are underway to make more bridges in Texas habitable to bats. Check out the bats at dusk May through September from this iconic spot.