Seirer_170424_3992.jpgGraceful, Historic Spangg This gracefully designed limestone bridge over the Cottonwood River, with a span of about 175 feet, is the largest stone arch bridge in Kansas. Built in 1886 at a cost of about $12,000, it is also one of the oldest. The Clements Stone Arch Bridge carried traffic for more than a century before a new bridge was built on Chase County’s rerouted G Road, just to the east. Local folks say it wasn’t concern over the strength and integrity of the stone arch bridge that prompted its replacement; rather, the historic bridge, at just 16 feet wide, was deemed too narrow for modern vehicles and farm equipment. The new bridge, utilitarian but pedestrian-looking, has left the stone arch bridge to serve only pedestrians. The road to the historic bridge is but a lane, and vehicles are barred from the span by, appropriately, huge blocks of limestone. Upon arriving, visitors seem to walk the bridge deck first, but the more interesting view is 40 feet below, on the banks of the Cottonwood, where the stonework and craftsmanship applied by the builder, the L.P. Santy & Co., of Clements, can be admired. Among the builder’s touches was the insertion of a large block, carved in relieve, that identifies the Santy Company, its owners, the commissioners and the date of construction. The bridge is just south of Clements, less than a mile from busy U.S. 50 Highway. A highway sign calls attention to the bridge, which since 1976 has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Local fundraising efforts have helped secure the structure and prepare it for visitors, and the hope is that more can be done to restore and develop the site as a local tourist attraction.

This gracefully designed limestone bridge over the Cottonwood River, with a span of about 175 feet, is the largest stone arch bridge in Kansas. Built in 1886 at a cost of about $12,000, it is also one of the oldest. The Clements Stone Arch Bridge carried traffic for more than a century before a new bridge was built on Chase County’s rerouted G Road, just to the east. Local folks say it wasn’t concern over the strength and integrity of the stone arch bridge that prompted its replacement; rather, the historic bridge, at just 16 feet wide, was deemed too narrow for modern vehicles and farm equipment.

The new bridge, utilitarian but pedestrian-looking, has left the stone arch bridge to serve only pedestrians. The road to the historic bridge is but a lane, and vehicles are barred from the span by, appropriately, huge blocks of limestone. Upon arriving, visitors seem to walk the bridge deck first, but the more interesting view is from 40 feet below, on the banks of the Cottonwood, where the stonework and craftsmanship applied by the builder, L.P. Santy & Co., of Clements, can be admired. Among the builder’s touches was the insertion of a large block, carved in relieve, that identifies the Santy Company, its owners, the commissioners and the date of construction.

The bridge is just south of Clements, less than a mile from busy U.S. 50 Highway. A highway sign calls attention to the bridge, which since 1976 has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Local fundraising efforts have helped secure the structure and prepare it for visitors, and the hope is that more can be done to restore and develop the site as a local tourist attraction.