Bend Bridge Nominated for 2015 list of "Missouri's Most Historic Places in Peril"

4-5-2015 (Happy Easter)
Pacific's 100 year old Bend Bridge (aka Withington Ford Bridge) has been nominated by the good folks at www.bridgehunter.com for recognition as one of Missouri's most historic places that is most in peril of demolition.   The application was submitted to the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation on April 2nd and will be considered among other applications that are submitted from around the state.

The “Missouri’s Places in Peril,” program began in 2000 and was then entitled “Missouri’s Most Endangered Historic Places.” The program calls attention to endangered historic resources statewide, and generates a call to action.  Upon selection, an advocate will be assigned to the Old Bend Bridge to assess the immediate needs of the endangered resource and assist the nominators to help ensure its preservation.  Nominations are assessed by a committee of Missouri Preservation’s governing board and the announcement of their selections will made at one of the sites chosen to be on the official list, usually during May, which is National Preservation Month.

Although the Old Bend Bridge has recently passed inspection for 17 ton vehicular traffic, it is being replaced with a new bridge 700' downstream of the existing location.  The Ozark Trail Association would like to use the Old Bend Bridge as a future crossing for the 550 mile Ozark Trail as it makes its way from Arkansas to Leasberg to Robertsville State Park and then along the Meramec River through the town of Pacific where the trail will link to the Great Rivers Greenway trail that will continue east through St. Louis County and end at the Mississippi River.  Despite having knowledge of this important plan for the region's economic future the Franklin County Commissioners have been unwilling to help in this effort.  They are determined to tear the bridge down and have publicly stated "it's our bridge" and that they believe even if a group makes an offer to take over the bridge that the county does not have to accept it.

To send a letter of support, please address it to:
   

Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation

Attn: Places in Peril

                                                      320 First Street

                                                      Boonville, MO 65223

or send an email to:

                                              missouripreservation@yahoo.com