Pays $2.50 To Cross Bridge

KIRKPATRIC

Posted By: Gloria Dodds (email)
Date: 11/2/2002 at 03:43:10

Thursday, August 15, 1935 The Keosauqua Republican Page Fifty-Five 80 year Anniversary
1855-1935

PAYS $2.50 TO CROSS
BRIDGE AT KEOSAUQUA

The Des Moines river bridge at Keosauqua, Iowa, completed in 1873, was the first bridge across this river in Van Buren county. Before this time, anyone who desired to cross the river must either go by ferry, cross on the ice, ford the river at some other manner invented by ingenious persons who needed to get to the other side of the river.
Another article in this issue tells of one gentleman who crossed in a basket. Fording the river was practically impossible during high water periods. Naturally there were many that were anxious to have the new river bridge ready for use. The first wagon to cross the bridge was that of Mr. Will T. Kirkpatric, who paid $2.50
for the privilege.