Haggard Ford Swinging Bridge, suspension bridge in Boone County, Arkansas
Haggard Ford Swinging Bridge is a suspension structure made of wood and concrete that spans Bear Creek near Harrison, Arkansas. It features a single span held up by steel cables connected to concrete towers, with a wooden deck beneath your feet as you cross.
Built between 1938 and 1941 with funding from the Works Progress Administration, the bridge provided jobs for local workers during the Great Depression. A major flood in 1961 damaged it so severely that it was closed to vehicles and remained for foot traffic only.
The bridge carries the name of Nancy Haggard, a woman who settled near this crossing in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can see how the community continues to care for this landmark through simple markers and maintenance, making it a gathering point for those who value local heritage.
You can reach the bridge from Cottonwood Road just north of Harrison, and it offers a quiet place for a walk. The wooden deck may be slippery when wet, so wear good shoes and take care during bad weather.
Only three such WPA-era bridges remain standing in Arkansas out of over twenty built, making this one a rare survivor of a lost building style. Local residents saved it from demolition in the late 1970s by raising funds through selling engraved wooden planks, turning restoration into a community effort.
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