Wanette–Byars Bridge, Historical truss bridge in Pottawatomie County and McClain County, United States.
The Wanette-Byars Bridge is a steel truss structure with a camelback design that spans across the Canadian River connecting the two towns. The construction features several long spans and was later adapted to carry vehicle traffic.
The bridge was built in 1902 by the American Bridge Company as a rail crossing linking Pauls Valley and Shawnee, and was later converted to a one-lane bridge for auto traffic. Its wooden deck was destroyed by arson in 1992, closing the bridge for two years; it reopened with a concrete and asphalt driving surface. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge.
The design reflects early industrial-era engineering approaches that remain visible in its structure today. Local residents use it daily as a practical link connecting their communities.
The bridge carries a single lane on a county road, not a state highway, so drivers should check for oncoming traffic before crossing. The nearest alternative crossings of the Canadian River are fifteen to twenty-five miles (24–40 km) away, so plan fuel and time accordingly.
The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, making it an officially recognized industrial monument in the region. Its camelback truss system was an advanced engineering solution for its era.
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