An Abandoned Bridge in the Desert - The McPhaul Suspension Bridge
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- čas přidán 11. 10. 2022
- Just outside of Yuma, Arizona, near the ghost town of Dome, lies the abandoned McPhaul Suspension Bridge. Built in 1929, four years before the Golden Gate Bridge, the McPhaul Bridge was Highway 95's crossing point of the Gila River until the 1960s.
The section of the highway that bridge is on has long since been bypassed, leaving the bridge all alone in the desert. Due to safety concerns the bridge is now closed to traffic as well as people. It sits there as a reminder of the road that once was.
The McPhaul Suspension Bridge is a rare suspension bridge in the American Southwest and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The McPhaul Bridge is located at 32.75967028688357, -114.42160695164623
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My parents moved to Yuma 1976 and tramped all around the area including the bridge to nowhere. They loved the bridge and "Gerties Underpants" ( Lagurta underpass)! When dad died in 1993 and mom in 1999 we scattered their ashes just down to the right beside the bridge. This was their request because of the love for the area so this bridge is special to our family, too!
Nice!
That's a cool story...I'll be sure to say hi when I ever get there
@@miketurkovich1166 Yes, please!
Good episode!
I was raised in the Sierras. When we went to town we went to Bishop, California. There were signs directing people to US 95 to the east. But I never went there.
I appreciate your attention to detail, including distinguishing between US highways and Interstate highways dates, etc.
That's beautiful. May they rest in peace.
I used to live in Yuma. My buddy and I when we were teens, rode our dirt bikes across that bridge. It was closed to cars then, mid 70s, but the barricades were less of an obstacle.
Good Times!
Back when weed was grass🇺🇸
@ glenn bellman -
Hi.
Guesstimate of how many times you went back-and-forth on that bridge; just curious.
If I was closer I'd still ride a dirt bike over it... its in better shape than alot of county bidges. Fine where the main frames run under the deck lengthwise and hit the throttle and never let up...
@@captseamus there are several bridges over the Yellowstone river that look way worse than this bridge...this bridge will last a long time in Southern Arizona.
I worked for a state DOT for many years as a surveyor and retired over two years ago, and one of my favorite things to do even in retirement is to research old highway alignments. This is a fascinating piece of history, thank you much for sharing it!
Was it a good job?
I think it's cool to see how the road changed!
@@zzoinks It was a great job. Sure, it had its headaches at times but for the most part it was very rewarding!
@@NipkowDisk That's great to hear! At my college they teach surveying, even though I am not learning it, I wonder how the job is. I think our school is one of the few in the state that is accredited to teach surveying, and it's a very small campus as well.
@@NipkowDisk Did you know that you liked surveying before you got your job or chose to go to school to learn surveying? I wonder because I am learning IT. I was able to play with computers when I was young, that's why I like IT. But I imagine for a lot of other careers, people didn't get to do it hands on when they were young and learned that they liked it.
Honestly, there's a chance I won't like the actual IT job, because it may be different than just playing with computers. But I will give it a shot. Better than Walmart xD
I have a clear memory driving with my Dad in our 57 Willy's wagon while pulling a hunting trailer on that bridge and a car having to back off the other side to let us through. That would have been in maybe 1963-4. I have been across that bridge several times. I still remember all the highway crews as they were building the highways out west in AZ and CA. Its so crazy to remember what it was like back then with all the two lane roads as compared to the highways now. So many changes.
The fact the new 95 bridge was damaged by the flood in 1995 but this bridge is still intact shows you how bridges are not made today as they used to be.
I ride a dual sport/adventure motorcycle. This is exactly the kind of old and/or abandoned structures I love to discover while riding the back roads and out of the way places. Love the fact that you do the research and provide historical information about the places you showcase. Very cool channel, thanks!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Check out caliente, nv
Phillip Patterson- Me too. Let’s ride my brutha!
The bridge closure is probably motivated by liability concerns, more than by structural issues. As a footbridge, or even for light motorcycle traffic, I bet its quite safe. Dry desert
conditions help to preserve the suspension cables and iron superstructure. The wooden deck, on the other hand, looks like it has suffered.
Would be nice if they restored the deck of the bridge and opened it up as part of a walking/cycling trail.
I’m glad ya “drove around to the other side” to get footage of both sides of the bridge, top work! 😂
I'm a big fan of bridges. I helped build the new bay bridge in San Francisco, and have also worked on the golden gate. It was neat to watch this video. Truly a work of art. Thank God there is virtually no rust in Arizona... Beautiful bridge. May have to check it out some day.
Another suspension bridge in Arizona would be the Sheep Bridge crossing the Verde River and the coordinates is 34.07761 -111.7074 This bridge is basically a wide foot bridge and is open to cross. I've been there several times and is remote and somewhat difficult to get there.
That is quite the bridge for its time, but once you see how narrow it is you can understand why it was replaced! Looks more like a pedestrian bridge than anything else - it’s too bad they couldn’t have found an alternative use for such a unique structure!
Yeah, I think it being in the middle of nowhere just limited their options with it.
they didn't- but steve did- its a great subject for a youtube vid.....
It's the same width to the coast to coast bridge Yums refurbished across the Colorado river.
It was probably very efficient at the time it was built when you consider the low population of the area back then. It was pretty much the middle of nowhere.
@@centuryrox looked to me like it kind of still is
As an Az native I love the history of all the old bridges that are off the beaten path Thanks
great video and clear explanation of the bridge...keep up the good work!
In 1952 at six years old I camped in the desert with my dad when he was mining uranium claims near Moab Utah..loved the desert ever since and finally retired in Las Vegas...leaving Northern CA for good.
I've been to this bridge a couple of times. While working at Yuma Proving Ground we'd sometimes eat at the little cafe/store just south of it between it and Hwy 95. At the other end there are pistol, rifle, shotgun, etc., ranges that we'd also occasionally got shoot at, and also go down to the bridge's other end. The only bees we ever saw were honeybees and their hives, and beekeepers occasionally moving them around as they were used in many of the fields there for pollination. It is a huge area all along there for most of the U.S. lettuce crop, etc. Thanks for the videos - enjoy them a lot.
Wow! I've lived in the Phoenix area for over 50 years. Been to many places of interest around Arizona, but I don't remember hearing about this bridge. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Brian you've gotta check out the outback of Arizona. There's soo many hikeing adventures throughout the whole state man that are soo beautiful full of scenic views. Go adventureing the whole state man hikeing it. You'll find the most breathtakeing views man. It's such an incredible state to hike through.
I encounter this video while randomly typing on search box. It turns out minutes worth watching, nice vocal and intonation, good pace and informative
Glad you enjoyed it!
Woke up, first coffee, this video passed by. A good starter of the sunday. Real good job
It amazes me to see the concrete is in such great condition given it's age. Thanks for peering into the cable abutment on the north side. In such good condition.
I recoiled as I was anticipating a swarm of bees - that seems like an ideal hive site.
If there's no freeze/thaw cycle (not sure of the exact climate conditions in the area - obviously desert, but could be cold in winter depending on elevation/etc) & salt isn't being applied since there's no active road, concrete can last 100's of years, assuming it was poured by competent masons (I am a civil engineer & son of a Sicilian stone mason lol)
I love local history! This kind of reminds me of the old Ash Avenue bridge in Tempe. A bridge that was also built with prison labor and obsolete the day it opened because cars had gotten bigger and heavier and it ended up only being good for wagons and bicycles. It finally collapsed as a result of flooding in the 1990s (probably the same flood that damaged the bridge upstream of this one) and was removed. All that remains is the southern abutment at the northeast corner of the ball park there (which, btw, has walls built from cobble stones from the Salt river.)
I love old abandoned bridges. Thanks!
This is very cool. I used to love covering parts of Route 66 and doing exactly this - going off the beaten track finding old alignments, and yes, bridges. The Bee's sign was a nice decoy - the department doesn't want you there, so that would deter most.
It's a shame that SO much expense and work went into these structures so long ago, and now sitting wasted. But, I guess that's what they call progress. Great job, very interesting, and thank you for sharing. Cheers Fletch.
I love the way concrete has been used in this bridge. Very advanced for the day!!!!
The Romans used concrete.
Your channel is amazing. I love the historical context that that you display. Once the algorithm figures out how amazing your content is, your channel is going to explode in popularity!
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words.
you mean more ads- don't you?
Well considering the algorithm just fed me this video today I'd say it's working
@@samholdsworth420 Yes, I agree it's working today. I did see this bridge in one of Noraly's episodes (*Itchy Boots*) a while back, so was guessing the Algorithms took note of my enthusiasm.
Another interesting piece of American history. Thanks a lot. Colin ( UK 🇬🇧 )
Nice video. If you ever come across an area that has chain link fencing always remember you can get the camera lense close to the fencing, through an opening hole and still get a clear shot of the object or area on the other side of the fence. Even that smaller interlink fencing, you can get a decent shot once it is on a tight shot and focused.
Keep up documenting the scenic things out west..
Hey Steve, just wanted to say what an amazing channel. The content is very informative while also being enjoyable. Keep up the awesomeness in videos and everything
Thank you, we really appreciate it.
A real piece of Americana. Thank you!
It is not a bridge to nowhere. It is a bridge to somewhere ... once upon a time. Times change. It is beautiful.
I really thought that I had personally been to, or watched all there was about interesting places out West in the areas that you go to but I keep finding out about new spots on your channel and I am thrilled. Your videos are so well done, detailed, and just an experience to watch. Thanks for your work.
As a long time San Diego native, I enjoy your videos that feature places I've always wondered about. During the 1990s my friends and I explored the area near Ocotillo, and I've been back and forth to Arizona many times. I never knew about this bridge. I wonder if the bee issue is seasonal; the fields nearby are currently fallow, but an entire farm with blooming plants (and those in the river bed), could make the area bee-central.
Someone else mentioned the bees are because of the crops, so that is most likely. No bees were seen at all but I can imagine them making hives on the bridge when crops are around.
Very interesting post. I am pretty sure I crossed over that bridge as a kid in 1963. My family was driving from southern Arizona through Las Vegas on 95. I remember the trip as I was about eight at the time
If I had to guess about the Bee warning, it would be due to the agricultural fields near there. Huge business moving bees to and from various fields nation-wise. That section of road right past the sign looked like the perfect place to offload the skids of hives temporarily while the bees pollinate the crops.
Agricultural honey bees are hardly something that require a warning sign.
@@stargazer7644 several farm operations around here have them due to the fact that the hives are near walking trails.
Thanks for the history lesson. That's a grand old bridge. Arizona could have that bridge fixed up and turn old U.S. 95 into a hiking trail for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles. That bridge is a testament to the power and knowledge of engineering. Take up a collection to save it, if you can. It would be a shame to let that bridge go to waste.
Yeah, I was thinking the same, make it a trail bridge. But I think the problem is as other have said, its really out in the middle of nowhere. I suspect it would mostly just need new decking. For bikes and people, I bet the load on the bridge is minimal and it's solid. I probably wouldn't run a large truck across it even if it had new decking.
I say demo the bridge & use the parts for other projects that will bring value. US nor Arizona needs a bridge to nowhere. The history lesson was that they used $$$$ to construct garbage.
Sadly, that "closed" "dangerous" "unsafe" bridge... is in better shape than many of the much newer interstate bridges. The I-40 bridge linking Memphis to West Memphis that almost fell down comes to mind. And, the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis that actually did fall down. The built in 1952 I-10 bridge in Lake Charles Louisiana. The over 18 mile long Atchafalaya Basin Bridge (also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge) on I-10 again in Louisiana.
If you build it, they will fall down.
Not to mention the I-10 Lake Charles bridge
Only reason this bridge is still standing like it is is because of the dry desert. If it were in an area with significant rainfall the deck boards would have all rotted out and the cables & superstructure would be badly rusted.
We used to fish under there when the Gila was widened after the flood in the 90's.Wild how much 20 years of growth has taken back the river bed. Thanks for the vid!
My first duty station in the Marine Corps was MCAS Yuma in 1972. We needed another car as my wife had gotten a job in town, we bought a motorcycle. We discovered Adair Park, just north of the bridge. The main entrance was just up the road Hwy 95, about a quarter mile, but you could enter it by crossing the Mcphaul Bridge. The bridge was not blocked back then, but it was only about one car wide. There was also a dirt bypass along side of the bridge as the Gila River was typically dry at least 300 days out of the year.
We walked the bridge a number of times and if a car would drive over it, the bridge would shake so I never crossed it in a vehicle and thought it was a foolish thing to do. I did travel the dirt road along side of the bridge from time to time as a short cut into the park. In early '73 someone did dump a load of dirt at both ends of the entrance to the bridge to stop folks from driving cars across however.
One day we decided to visit Adair Park to do some shooting and rode my bike into the park through the main entrance. It was shortly after Yuma had experienced one of its very rare annual occurrences, a few days of rain.
After we had finished shooting it was already getting dark so I decided to take the shortcut out of the park along the dirt road below the bridge. As descended down the 'path' to the dirt road, something just didn't seem right, so I instinctively flipped on my hi-beam light and was awe struck by the sight of a river of flowing water passing under the bridge and at least 100 yards wide to the other side. Another 25 feet and we would have been swimming!
Twenty years later while flying helicopters in and out of Yuma at various time, I got to fly along the Gila River over the Mcphaul Bridge on a number of occasions but never got to see water flowing in the Gila River again. It is good to see that the Bridge is still standing. 👍
Semper Fidelis...
What a great story to share, thank you.
Great architecture and they simply don't make them like they used to!
Yeah! I was thinking about how they used to do everything with character and now everywhere its the same old concrete structures.
@@SidetrackAdventures To a degree. When designing a bridge, you have to take many things into consideration. Including cost. But federal standards now allows designers to take appearance and other elements and include them in the design. Some things may be small like stamped concrete - but it’s better than a bland structure.
Since you're in the area, I would suggest to do a story on the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge that is still used to cross the Colorado River. Currently, it is one way in both directions controlled by stoplights. But, seeing as there are pedestrian walkways built onto the bridge surface, has it always been a one direction controlled bridge, or did it used to be two way without pedestrian walkways? Not to mention its place in history as the first bridge over the lower Colorado River which allowed nonstop driving east to west, and hence its name, Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.
Love that bridge. I talk about it in two different videos on the channel, a few weeks ago I posted a video on the Colorado River parks in Yuma and its in there and awhile back i did a video on 15 places to see on Historic Highway 80 in California. Since half the bridge is in California I included it.
@@SidetrackAdventures I guess I have only seen your videos pop up here and there. I need to click on the channel itself.
The walkways are outside the thru trusses and don’t appear to be wide enough to ever accommodate vehicle traffic.
Thank you for taking us on your journey. I can't travel due to medical issues but you make it possible to explore from home. God bless you.
I took Highway 95 back in 1995 at night to Las Vegas and the entire trip there were a lot of jack rabbits on the road that I had to dodge and I was amazed at the number of boats I saw being towed in the middle of a desert. What was I missing. Then come morning I looked at the map and saw why Lake Havasu was along that route.
Still tons of boats on it. It felt like every third car had one!
the road (93) up near ely goes thru a small area named jack rabbit, nv. that highway is literally paved with roadkilled jack rabbits every fall. its amazing and sickening at the same time.....
@@tommurphy4307 Sounds a lot like Interstate 10 in Texas when each Oct/Nov the tarantulas are crossing the highway to go mate (I think). I was swerving to avoid running over them but I doubt others cared.
Super video! Very well organized, narrated, unobtrusively quiet background music, and stabilized picture. Excellent editing and use of a drone. Hope you’ll share more little-known sites!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoy your videos as I was CA resident for over 36 yrs. Still love to learn of the places less traveled. Its a fabulous state.
I've only been in that area a few times and had no clue the bridge existed. Thanks so much for a great video / history lesson.
I live not far from the Gila River in SW NM. I'm sure you are aware of how the Water of entire SW of U S is shrinking.
Less rain and more water usage so its 😥
Happy Trails from NM
existed
Yes, its crazy to see how bad the water levels are getting everywhere. Hopefully something can get figured out before its too late.
Its not so much the less rain as more people. California can't build apartments and condos big enough and fast enough. Houses are going up at an alarming rate too. They keep talking about the "housing crisis" but what about the over population crisis?? All these people drink water, take showers, do laundry, wash dishes, wash cars, flush toilets. In my county alone, there are over 20k new apartment units this year, and 8k houses.
Thanks for the tour. Such a beautiful location and, of course, the bridge.
This is great , thanks for this , kinda cheered me up after having just watched a video on how messed up some parts of the Country are , and yes , I'm aware this part has problems too , just not as glaring........
Very cool!
I like these stories of old bridges, highways, etc. Good job showing the bridge. I wish you had flown the drone down along it, for a close in view of it.
Hi Steve, awesome video. Reminds me of the time we drove on Hwy 93 in 1975 from Kingman, AZ to Vegas. Cheers from Florida.
Thank you for exploring this.
Thank you for sharing all of your videos! They’re great! Some of us simply can’t travel anywhere!👍👍😊
Given how well the desert preserves structures, that bridge would probably be safe for another 20 years minimum.
It would probably be safe for a few individual hikers at a time, but the ban is probably for fear that a large crowd would turn up to party on it and start marching or dancing, which could bring down that old decking. And let's face it, you know things like that go on in desert areas with curiosities to enjoy.
@@localrogerThe ban is for insurance reasons - like everything else these days.
Its in better shape than some of the current bridges still opened to traffic in Illinois!
yep i remember when you used to be able to walk or ride across that bridge. there were bollards up preventing car traffic. it was always a wonder to me. there was a flood in 83 and that was all under water clear up to the bridge. i left yuma for the east coast in Y2k. but its still home to me. thank you for the video.
Great little sight seeing trip. Thanks for taking us along.
Super vidéos pour apprendre encore sur l'Histoire récente de la région. Incroyable histoire car il est très beau ce pont. Dommage qu'il ne soit pas devenu un pont piéton.
Great video. I hope to see this bridge. I hiked the Bridge to Nowhere in the San Gabriel Canyon several years ago. interesting. Here’s a description from the internet.
The Bridge to Nowhere is an arch bridge built in 1936 north of Azusa, California in the San Gabriel Mountains not far away from Los Angeles.This bridge spans the east branch of the San Gabriel River. In fact, it used to be part of a road connecting the San Gabriel Valley to Wrightwood. But the project did not finally see the light of day.
you made it back home so that was a misnomer....
@@tommurphy4307 He lives in Nowhere, CA.
Just found your channel today! I love it! I love and miss exploring. Thank you for sharing your videos!! 👍🏼👍🏼
Noticed this bridge on our way to, and from Fishers Landing for years. Only now finding this video. Very cool history. Thank you for sharing!!
It was probably possible to go explore for some number of years after closing down. Fun and spooky times I could imagine. Nice work avoiding flashy or cheesy intros in your vids.
Great video and history lesson. I've done a lot of off roading out there and have never seen or heard of that bridge will differently check it out. Thanks again.
I was born in Yuma and have been to that bridge around 2009 or so. It's a great structural piece. Great video as usual.
This is another mind boggling video...i was anxious to walk over the bridge....alas the bridge was closed and baricaded....drone view is spell binding....the bridge has a fascinating history....thank you for sharing this great piece....
I’ve been to Yuma, but I never knew about this. Was the road always dirt? Looks pretty narrow too. Very interesting. Great video!
I believe the road was paved at one point.
I love how you’re always repping San Diego everywhere you step Steve! 👍
I was there earlier this year on the other side, awesome to hear the story behind it and bring my suspicions correct.
Thanks. I found this bridge in the late 60's. I've been wondering about it ever since. Now I know, thanks to you. Bridge to nowhere is a good term for it.
Nice video! I never knew about this bridge. Very interesting that it’s made out of wood. Wasn’t expecting that at all! As you pointed out, it does look very narrow and as if there would only be enough room for one car to go across it in either direction. They must’ve had some kind of signaling device, right, to control the flow of traffic each way?
I was wondering that too. The Ocean to Ocean Bridge in Yuma has a signal so only one way can go at a time, but I didn't see any trace out there and couldn't tell from the few old photos I found. I can't imagine trucks, even 1940s and 50s trucks on that bridge.
Why the hell did they make bridges so frickin narrow back then?? It wasn't like cars were narrower than they are now!!
I Remember calling it exactly that in 1980 while I was stationed at MCAS Yuma. Blast from the Past.!!
Thanks for bringing history to life with these videos. Spent a lot of my childhood and all my teens in Yuma and I learned so much in this video.
Yumast see this 🌉bridge😁. Thanks Steve, as always a fun watch!
I visited the bridge in 2021 and an impressive engineering effort for that period of time. Great video!
Really digging your channel! Have watched a dozen or so videos now and between your great knowledge and the ensuing comments, I have learned a great deal about some neat and obscure things. Love your simple but quality production and your cheerful, laid back nature. Thanks for all you do mate!
Nice to get an explanation for this bridge. We discovered it several years on a geocaching adventure.😊
God I LOVE these kinds of videos. I might never visit this spot but thanks to CZcams we all get to see it.
Second! Thank you for another great video of less traveled places of American history! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice! Thanks for taking us along to see this, Mr. Adventures.
Our pleasure!
Thanks for the tour!
I just realized I've been on both ends of this highway. My grandparents used to winter in Yuma. We'd get cheap flights down to Vegas, and take 95 down to their retirement park in Yuma. This spring, I visited my sister and did some late-season skiing in the Rockies. We were in Kimberley, BC (on Highway 95A). We then visited some more family in Creston, BC. This took us along the Canadian portion of 95. Neat!! I had no idea they were the same stretch of road until I watched this.
You are a natural making these videos.
This is eclectic as it gets and from the look,s of it as peacefully as it get,s pretty cool man.....
I used to ride across that bridge as a kid in the sixties.
love these interesting videos
Thanks, lived in Az all my 71 years and never knew about it, do more videos like this.
Thanks for the tour! Great video!👍👍
Thanks! I'm leaving this here as a general thank you for your informative videos and as a small encouragement for you to continue your work.
Thank you. I really appreciate it. No plans on stopping anytime soon.
Thanks for the tour. 🎉
👍 Excellent video! When I lived in AZ I was able to visit this bridge. It is remarkable to see it today out the middle of nowhere and try to remember when it was part of a major artery.
I do remember the Killer Bee topic. I also, remember how it worried me as a child. Thanks Sidetrack Family. See ya next week.
Yes, it was such a big topic years ago and now you never hear anything about it. I guess they were just misunderstood bees.
Wow what a cool relic !!
Am really enjoying the abandoned roads and bridges - my home state of Connecticut is probably best known for its "ghost ramps" on the four-level stack in Farmington. It's really strange. But I find all of these an interesting part of history.
Thank you for the tour .
I had never heard of this. Thank you for letting us in on it. Cool place.
I thought this was going to be about "the bridge to nowhere" in the San Gabriel mountains at the end of East fork Road. Truly awesome 10 mile round trip hike.
Odd little site. Thanks for sharing.
That's neat. I was Photo Editor of the Yuma Sun for 3-1/2 years, but the subject of that bridge never came up. I wish I had known it was there to go and explore. Thanks for the history.
I went to this bridge while i was in Arizone for intelligence training. Such a sight to see! Its been 15 years now!
I have actually come to see this bridge on a date. Definitely worth the stop!
Very cool! Thank you for posting.
I have checked out this bridge manny of times and will actually be back in Yuma next week! will definitely stop by again and check it out with my newly gained knowledge, thanks for the vid
I remember when your videos used to have a couple hundred views. Good to see people appreciate your videos🙂 Keep up the good work.
Thank you for being around since the beginning. I'm always surprised and humbled that anyone is watching let alone hundreds or thousands.
Bridge to nowhere? Stretching the point if you ask me! 95yrs old & a great looking bridge, thanks for the video.
Thanks again for another interesting video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoy exploring old bridges and buildings totally groovy.