Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
“Gold Lamé” by Tony Heaton on display in 2018.
Liverpool Plinth
Xingfu Village Monument
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
This gigantic statue once marked a radio station’s headquarters.
Huntoon Park Wren
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
U.S. Air Force Capt. Samuel “RaZZ” Larson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander, passes over the flight line at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, July 9, 2024
Who Swarmed Langley Air Force Base With Drones?
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Texas Graford Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge
AO Edited

Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge

The bridge continues the legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policy.

Graford, Texas

Added By
James Springer
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
  roxsandlecroy / Atlas Obscura User
Afternoon Reflection   mvalspeed / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On Texas State Highway 16, an 18-stone arched bridge spans the Brazos River about a mile below the Morris Sheppard Dam—or as the locals call it the Possum Kingdom Dam. Drivers pass over this unique stone arch bridge every day and never give it a second thought, but it has a fascinating history. 

So what makes this stone arch bridge special compared to thousands of others? At 433 feet long, it is the longest stone arch bridge in Texas. Construction materials were quarried from local limestone, and the bridge features fine craftsmanship, the result of an investment in infrastructure after the Great Depression.

It was built by the workers assigned to the Work Projects Administration (WPA) from 1940 to 1942 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Second New Deal. After the Great Depression, millions were unemployed and the WPA brought together workers from all walks of life. Coal miners were brought in to build the bridge, bringing with them the skill set that was needed for such a task.  It was their skill of handling and cutting stone that made the difference in the project. There were approximately 74 skilled workers and 250 unskilled workers or laborers on the two-year project.

The spans of the bridge range between 23-35 feet. State highway engineers chose the heavy masonry form to withstand flood waters from the Morris Sheppard Dam located just upstream.

Related Tags

Bridges Arches New Deal Great Depression Highways

Know Before You Go

Take Texas Highway 254 West from Graford to Texas Highway 16 (about 7 miles).  At the fork, turn left (south) and follow Texas Highway 16 for about 5.5 miles.

Community Contributors

Added By

Springer

Edited By

mvalspeed, roxsandlecroy

  • mvalspeed
  • roxsandlecroy

Published

May 31, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/historic-bridges-texas/masonry-arch-bridges/possum-kingdom-bridge
  • https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/tx0794/
  • https://historicbridgefoundation.com/txbridges/panhandle/palopinto/possumkingdom.html
Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge
State Route 16
Graford, Texas, 76449
United States
32.858402, -98.411635
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

The Baker Hotel

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

Camp Wolters

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Texas

Texas

United States

Places 378
Stories 65

Nearby Places

Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

The Baker Hotel

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

Camp Wolters

Mineral Wells, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Texas

Texas

United States

Places 378
Stories 65

Related Places

  • Double Arches from the north

    Ossining, New York

    Double Arch Bridge

    At this site, two historic stone bridges spanning the Sing Sing Kill—one right on top of the other.

  • Kiskatinaw Bridge

    Parkland, British Columbia

    Kiskatinaw Bridge

    The first curved wooden bridge in Canada was built as part of the Alaska-Canada Highway.

  • The four main visible arches of Elvet Bridge plus two of the side arches

    Durham, England

    Elvet Bridge

    Though this bridge was originally built in the 12th century, only one of its 10 arches dates back that far.

  • Gregory Natural Bridge in the 1940s

    Lake Powell, Utah

    Gregory Natural Bridge

    This natural sandstone bridge hasn't been seen since the 1960s when Lake Powell covered it—until now.

  • Both highway bridges, the old one in front.  Looking upstream.

    Terrebonne, Oregon

    Crooked River Bridges

    The original span of a high bridge across the deep Crooked River Gorge has been preserved for pedestrian use.

  • Barrel Arch Bridge

    Lorton, Virginia

    Barrel Arch Bridge

    This unique structure is the only one of its kind in Virginia.

  • Gravina in Puglia, Italy

    Ponte Acquedotto

    An impressive bridge over a ravine also served as an aqueduct.

  • Pickering Pedestrian Bridge

    Pickering, Ontario

    Pickering Pedestrian Bridge

    The longest enclosed pedestrian bridge in the world spans 14 lanes of traffic and six rail tracks, all while lighting up the night sky.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.