1882 - In the area along Iowa State Highway 12 on the Big Sioux River between Sioux City and Westfield, Iowa and Jefferson, South Dakota and the section known as the Sioux Township a ferry operated on the river. Along this same area there was also a grist mill and a saw mill
April 20, 1915 - Records showed engineering bids for "steel" bridge construction.
1915 - Bridge is constructed. The base is mill stone. The base was visible in times of low water levels of the Big Sioux River.
1936 - The Iowa State Highway Commission conducted a bridge survey report. It stated the bridge had 12 wood approach spans of 15 feet long, 1 high truss span 154 feet long, and 1 steel I-beam with a span of 33 feet. The total length of the bridge was 370 feet.
The 1936 report indicated the bridge was owned by the state
1963 - A document stated the bridge superstructure was in good condition but the floor and substructures were in fair condition.
1965 - The farm land in Union County, South Dakota near the area of the bridge was purchased by Joe E. Birkley.
Oct. 2, 1967 - Union County Public Works Administrator Raymond Roggow said his records show that the road containing the bridge, 483rd Avenue, was vacated and ownership of the bridge was transferred to the Birkley farm.
1984 - Joe E. Birkley passed away and his son, Zane Birkley purchased the farm and bridge.
2006 - The bridge collapsed into the Big Sioux River.
2018 - Zane Birkley still owns the land in Union County, South Dakota.
Other bridge facts:
Overview - Lost Through truss bridge over Big Sioux River on 483rd Avenue
Location - Plymouth County, Iowa, and Union County, South Dakota
Status - Collapsed
History - Built 1915; Collapsed 2006
Design - Through Truss
Dimensions - Length of largest span: 154.0 ft. Total length: 370.0 ft.
Also called - Hunter Bridge, Twin Bridge
Approximate latitude, longitude - N 42°39'42" W 96°32'38"
Approximate UTM coordinates - 14/701300/4726161
Quadrangle map - Elk Point NE
Inventory number - BH 70598
Over the years the bridge has a few nicknames. The include: Hunter Bridge. It was named after Dale Hunter who farmed the land for several years.
It was also referred to as Twin Bridges which comes from this bridge and another in the area. This one was called White Bridge, it is not clear why this bridge was called White Bridge. The other bridge, which was about two miles away was called Nason Bridge. It was named for the Nason family who used to live in the area.
The Old Jefferson Bridge is also thought to have a connection to Laura Ingalls Wilder. In her book, "On the Shores of Silver Lake", she talks about crossing the Big Sioux River on the way to DeSmet, S.D. She based her most of her books on experiences growing up in the Midwest area. It is thought his bridge was likely part of her experience.
Information Sources:
Bridge sinks into history
'Old Jefferson Bridge' collapses north of Sioux City
Union County, South Dakota Assessor
Bridgehunter.com Old Jefferson Bridge
