The Bridge That Named a Town
- City of Runaway Bay
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Before there was a lake - or even the town of Bridgeport - there was the bridge.
In the mid-1800s, travelers heading west faced a major obstacle: crossing the West Fork of the Trinity River. Stagecoaches, wagons, and cattle drives all needed a reliable way to get across and that’s where the story of Bridgeport begins.
A Mail Route and a Mission
From 1858 to 1861, the famous Butterfield Overland Mail route stretched from St. Louis to San Francisco, carrying passengers, freight, and mail across the frontier. When the stage line reached what’s now Wise County, a safe river crossing became essential.
Enter Colonel William Hudson Hunt, the same pioneer you may remember from last week’s story. On February 11, 1860, Hunt obtained a charter and built a wooden toll bridge about 50 yards west of the present-day marker site. Ranchers, travelers, and mail carriers all relied on the new crossing, paying small tolls - just two cents for a horse or cow - to pass over.
Collapse, Rebuild, and a New Beginning
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, the Butterfield route was shut down, and Hunt’s wooden bridge eventually collapsed. But a settlement had already begun to grow nearby, sparked by the convenience the bridge created.
In 1873, local merchant Charles Cates of Decatur saw opportunity where others saw ruin. He constructed a new iron bridge at the same site, restoring a vital connection for commerce and travel.
By 1893, the Rock Island Railroad extended its line through Wise County, stopping near the bridge site. The growing community migrated closer to the tracks, but proudly kept its name: Bridgeport.
Visit the Landmark
Today, the Texas Historical Marker commemorating the Toll Bridge and Old Bridgeport stands along FM 920, just outside the modern city. It’s a reminder that before there was industry, asphalt, or even Lake Bridgeport, there was a small wooden bridge that brought people and possibilities together.
Want to explore more Bay History?
Check out last week’s post about Col. W.H. Hunt, the man behind the bridge, and stay tuned for next week’s dive into the creation of Lake Bridgeport and how it forever changed our area.
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