Stone Arch Bridges

Category: Locations

  • Peter Johnson's Bridge

    Found: Butler’s Historic Peter Johnson’s Bridge

    In an unexpected discovery, we found one of the largest, oldest, and arguably most historic bridges in Butler County, Kansas, high and dry in a road embankment: the 1895 Peter Johnson’s Bridge built by Walter Sharp.

  • 1907 Private Abe Matheney Bridge

    A Unique Cowley County Stone Bridge

    We recently were invited to see a little-known stone arch bridge in Cowley County on a farm. This historic structure was built by Abe Matheney for a prosperous farmer in 1907.

  • Branch Hickory Creek Culvert

    The Oak Valley Stone Bridges

    In Oak Valley Township, Elk County, Kansas, we found eleven little-known stone arch bridges. Most of these structures are culverts, and their unique characteristics make these bridges quite noteworthy.

  • 20th Street Access Culvert

    Two Newly Found Butler County Stone Culverts

    We recently found two small stone arch access culverts in Butler County, one near and the other in Towanda. These curious structures are publicly accessible and are a unique piece of Butler history.

  • Updates to Our Bridge Maps

    We have updated our stone arch bridge maps of Cowley and Butler counties to be more user-friendly. They are now color-coded, allowing for easier use, especially for those on the road looking at the bridges.

  • Sycamore Springs Bridge

    Butler County’s Stone Arch Bridge Heritage

    Butler County, Kansas, was a pioneer in stone arch bridge construction and even now is a leader in the state for its quantity of stone bridges, a heritage the county continues to preserve.

  • Latham Blaine Street Culvert 2

    Three Significant Butler County Stone Bridge Finds

    In Latham, Butler County, Kansas, we recently found three stone arch culverts. They are significant not only because they may be the oldest in the county, but also because one is impressively wide.

  • Pudden Bridge (October 2023)

    Major Update on Pudden/Esch’s Spur Bridge

    Plans are apparently underway to replace the historic Pudden/Esch’s Spur Bridge. Reports are also being floated that there may be plans in the future to replace Cowley’s Rock Creek stone bridge as well.

  • Crab Creek Bridge

    Dexter: Cowley’s Stone Bridge Capital

    Dexter is an area in Cowley County with a strong stone bridge heritage, many such structures remaining. Couple this with the local candy company and beautiful scenery, and the Dexter area is well worth touring.