Espey Bridge

The Espey Bridge (also called the 1882 Bowstring Bridge) is a bowstring-type iron bridge which was spanned 143 feet over the Black Warrior River from 1882 to 1897. It was relocated as part of a river widening project to Dilbert Farm Road, across the North River from New Lexington around 1900. There it became a local landmark, named for the nearby Espey family.

In the late 1960s or early 1970s, the bridge was closed and its deck was removed. It was rediscovered by Tuscaloosa County employee Ken Willis.

As the oldest documented iron bridge in the state, the Espey Bridge was placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 2004. In 2008 it was removed from its site on the North River for restoration. The Friends of Historic Northport plan to use it as a centerpiece for the 200-acre Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park, where it will carry only foot traffic.

References

• Willis, Ken (2010) Spanning the Black Warrior River: Seven Bridges Between Tuscaloosa and Northport. Northport: Friends of Historic Northport
• Cargile (July 7, 2010) "1882 Bowstring Bridge ready to be moved." Northport Gazette