Sanders Bridge
a.k.a. Rio Puerco Bridge
Indian Rt. 9402 over the Puerco River, Sanders, AZIn 1922, the Arizona Highway Department began the major reconstruction of the Holbrook-Lupton Highway between Adamana and the state line. Two critical components of the project were the erection of substantial bridges over the Rio Puerco near the small Indian settlements of Sanders and Allentown. For the Sanders Bridge, AHD staff engineers designed two medium-span pony trusses supported by continuous concrete piers. Timber stringers formed approach spans on both sides. Using money from the state road fund and an Apache County bond issue, AHD let the contracts for the Sanders and Allentown bridges and a small pony truss over Lupton Arroyo at Lupton on January 1, 1923. The Monarch Engineering Company of Denver was awarded the contract for the Sanders Bridge. Monarch began construction of the bridge on May 22, worked through the summer, and, using steel milled by Inland, completed the structure on September 10. Total construction cost: $15,005. Both the Sanders and Allentown crossings were removed from the highway by another realignment in 1931, and the bridges have since carried local traffic on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
Later designated U.S. Highway 66, the Santa Fe Highway was a major transcontinental route across northern Arizona. Before the construction of this bridge, traffic on the highway often was forced to wait up to 24 hours for the Rio Puerco to subside enough to permit fording. The banders Bridge thus formed an important link on a major interstate route. The bridge is further significant as one of the earliest pony trusses built by the State Engineer, erected by a regionally active bridge contractor. Technologically, the Sanders Bridge is a representative and unaltered example of a common vehicular truss configuration: one of three riveted Pratt pony trusses identified in the inventory.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
Apache County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Apache County, Arizona.
- 1879 - Apache County is established on February 24, 1879, as one of the original four counties of the Arizona Territory.
- 1880 - The county seat is designated as St. Johns, which becomes the oldest continuously inhabited community in Arizona.
- 1881 - The town of Holbrook is founded and quickly becomes a hub for the region's livestock industry.
- 1882 - The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad completes a line through Winslow, bringing increased transportation and economic opportunities to the area.
- 1889 - The famous Pleasant Valley War, a deadly feud between cattlemen, reaches its peak in Apache County.
- 1931 - The iconic Petrified Forest National Monument is established within the county's boundaries, preserving unique geological formations and fossilized trees.
- 1964 - The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is established, providing recreational opportunities and protecting important wildlife habitats.
- 1986 - Apache County experiences a major economic boom when the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, begins operations.
- 2005 - The Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is established, featuring scenic attractions such as the spectacular Antelope Canyon.