Caddo Lake Drawbridge, Vertical-lift bridge at Mooringsport, Louisiana.
The Caddo Lake Drawbridge is a vertical-lift bridge in Mooringsport that crosses the water with a central section designed to raise upward for vessel passage. The metal structure allows tall boats and barges to pass underneath when the lifting mechanism operates.
The bridge was constructed in 1914 by the Midland Bridge Company, replacing a ferry operation that had served the area before. It became an essential route for early motor vehicles crossing this Louisiana waterway.
During World War II preparations in 1941, Generals Eisenhower and Patton conducted military exercises involving the strategic capture of this bridge.
The structure was converted to a pedestrian walkway in 1995, providing visitors with a clear viewing point over the water. From this location, you can observe the surrounding Louisiana waterways and watch for wildlife activity typical of the region.
The bridge was designed by engineer John Alexander Low Waddell and stands as his final vertical-lift design remaining in Louisiana. This engineering legacy from a specific era of bridge building makes it a rare survivor of its type.
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