Spillman Creek Stone Bridge--Lincoln County
Spillman Creek Stone Bridge--Lincoln County
Location: 8 miles North of the Jct. of Hwys. K-18 and K-181 on K-181.
Nearest Towns: Lincoln, Lucas
Fee: None
All photos are copyright H. J. Schuster, 2000. Please ask permission before use.
Built
in 1908, and widened in 1946 when the road became a state
highway, this double arch stone bridge in Lincoln County is a beauty. It's
constructed of the same "Postrock" limestone that was used to make the
distinctive rock fence posts that this area is famous for.
Though
you can't tell it from my photos, this is a double arch bridge
over Spillman Creek with each arch measuring 20 feet . It appears
that the small creek's channel has changed a little since this bridge was
constructed so many years ago. The second arch is to the south or right in
the photo. Note the large amount of soil build up under the second arch.
The
bridge was abandoned in 1993 as a new bridge was built just to
the west to eliminate a dangerous 'S' curve where the old highway approached the
stone bridge. For some reason, all the stone bridges I've visited across
the state have an 'S' curve approach.
It was hard to tell this was a stone bridge from the highway. The Spillman Creek bridge must have been one of the last stone bridges used on a state highway when it was removed from service. When it opened to traffic, it's stones bore the weight of horses and buggies, and when it closed it carried the weight of trucks and cars.
Locals have erected a postrock sign to memorialize the bridge, and someone even mows a path down to the creek for a better view. Even though it no longer provides the original service, it's nice to see that this old bridge is still appreciated for it's beauty and history alone.