Hays Street Bridge
historic place
The Hays Street Bridge, a historic place in Bexar County, San Antonio, has a notable past. Its primary spans, crafted from wrought iron, were originally constructed in 1881 by the Phoenix Bridge Company. These spans first served over the Nueces River. In 1910, they were relocated and erected in San Antonio, forming the Hays Street Bridge. This bridge was built to create a vital connection over the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad tracks, linking the city's East Side with downtown. It is recognized for its unique Phoenix column and Whipple truss design. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1982 due to its condition. It received designation as a City of San Antonio historic landmark in 1987, and in 2001, it became a Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Following rehabilitation efforts, the Hays Street Bridge reopened as a pedestrian bridge on July 20, 2010. In 2012, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hays Street Bridge stands as a significant example of early 20th-century transportation engineering in San Antonio.