Old Alton Bridge
National Register of Historic Places

Old Alton Bridge

Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas
Listed
July 7, 1988
Type
Structure
Period
Early Republic
Ref No.
88000979

About this property

Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. Built in 1884 by the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company, it originally carried horses and later automobiles over Hickory Creek at a location that once was a popular ford for crossing cattle. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost. The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. Prior to the new bridge, it was necessary for motorists to signal with a car horn before crossing the single-lane span. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988.

Location

Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas
33.12933, -97.10402

Categories

ENGINEERING
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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Nearby Historic Sites

Denton County Courthouse
Industrial
6.2 mi
Pioneer Woman Monument
Colonial
6.7 mi
Denton County Courthouse Square Historic District
Listed
6.8 mi
Fairhaven Retirement Home
Industrial
7.5 mi
Central Roanoke Historic District
Listed
11.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Alton Bridge listed on the National Register?

Old Alton Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 1988.

What type of historic resource is Old Alton Bridge?

Old Alton Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Old Alton Bridge?

The period of significance for Old Alton Bridge is recorded as the early_republic era, specifically around 1850.

Can I research the history near Old Alton Bridge?

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