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Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge Restored in 2012!

   In the 1800’s this narrow site (where Gillespie bridge is today) had been a low water crossing point but water levels varied greatly.  During the stagecoach era one perilous crossing was described as:

“On one occasion two nuns, a gambler, and a solder hung on the outside and upstream side of the coach in order to counterbalance the flood current.  As the story goes the stratagem, plus the driver’s goading of his struggling horses, the nun’s praying, the gambler’s cursing, and the soldier’s shouted encouragement, brought the coach safely to the opposite shore.”

To read the complete article click on:
Gillespie Dam Bridge Restored
From Tonopah Tribune newspaper, October 2012.

North side of bridge from riverbank, showing Pier Nos. 2 and 3 and underside of trusses - view is southwest.

Gillespie Dam Bridge, Spanning Gila River on Old US 80 Highway, south
of Gillespie Dam.