The earliest picture I have with a Model A to the right
Rainbow Bridge
Neodesha, Kansas
Her Final Days
In 1933 Neodesha unveiled her shiny new steel and concrete bridge. It's smooth flowing shape quickly reminded people of a rainbow, and was known as Rainbow Bridge for most of it's life. Located on the West edge of Neodesha, it provided quick access to the Waterworks Park, the Baseball Field, Fairgrounds, and the Shelter House. Steps lead down the wide walkway to the baseball diamond and four globed lights graced it's corners.
Originally designed for Model T's and small trucks such as the little Ford Model B, it stood the challenge of bigger and heavier vehicles for almost 70 years. Neglected maintenance, wear and tear, plus the abuse of hundreds of semi trucks a day passing over her eventually did her in. A bit too narrow for today's traffic and the expense of widening her proved too much. Crews used dynamite and cutting torches to try to bring her down, but she resisted to the bitter end. After the new bridge was built, my son, Aaron (Elkins), and I walked the bridge for the last time in December of 2001. Overgrown with weeds, breaking apart, the globes broken or missing, it was a sad ending for such a beloved bridge. Below are pictures of it from beginning to end.
The earliest picture I have with a Model A to the right
This slide was taken by WV Peed of San Diego, Ca.
All of the slides include a lady which I assume is from Neodesha.
Construction then began on the new bridge:
The following are pictures I took showing her condition prior to demolition:
Her last day
