Rural Texas Historic landmarks The Oldest Cable Bridge in America and Abandoned Coal Mine Town

We visit the oldest suspension/cable bridge in the U.S. located in the small rural town of Bluff Dale Texas. We make a short drive through this little town an discuss housing costs and commute time to the DFW metroplex. The bridges future is at risk it has been abandoned evidently there is a demolish plan in place as well. So if you want to see this while it still stands you may make plans to see it in the near future. It is located off of Hwy 377 and CR149 in Bluff Dale Texas. historicbridge... please take a minute and read the article about this happening.
Next we take a drive over to Thurber Texas once a thriving community of 10,000 people now with a population of 5. There is a smoke stack that is visible from interstate 20 at the Thurber exit. The only things left is the historic smokestack, and a few buildings such as the original fire house. There is a a couple of places to eat the smokestack cafe, New York Hill cafe, and an antique shop in some of the original buildings that are left. This was the first fully electrified town in Texas and the only company mining town in Texas. This once was the largest underground coal mine in Texas that was in production until the early 1920’s.
After leaving Thurber we make a short drive to Davidson Cemetery to have a look at the masonry work that was done in 1922.
Places visited
Bluff Dale Texas (Erath County)
Thurber Texas (Eastland County)
Davidson Cemetery (Palo Pinto County)

[@Darton-ok5xt]

great vid, thx

[@skipsadventures3210]

Glad you liked it.

[@mchelvantx]

Navasota Texas native, living in Fort Worth now

[@skipsadventures3210]

Close enough to make a run to Bluff Dale and see the bridge.

[@rlhauk3715]

The Fort Worth stockyards is paved with Thurber bricks.

[@skipsadventures3210]

Awesome

[@tpickett1381]

Galveston used Thurber bricks on some of the streets

[@skipsadventures3210]

Awesome never knew that

[@steveg2406]

Thanks, had forgotten this one👍🤠

[@skipsadventures3210]

Glad you found it.

[@jasonmillion1769]

My grandparents Mamie and Bud Drennan's land was right they're on 377 before you turn to the old Swinging Bridge the people that bought it turned it into a trailer park when we were kids we used to walk down to the bridge to go fishing when I was a kid there was no barrier you could go out on the bridge I'm glad it's still there

[@skipsadventures3210]

I am going to go and do a check up it has been about a year since I have been over there.

[@scottwiseman8015]

Regency Texas suspension bridge is on the Mills/San Saba county line over the Colorado River. Gov. Perry commissioned the bridge to be rebuilt while in office and this bridge is good for another 120 years. One can see it in its old glory in the opening credits of Texas Country Reporter. Off SH16 in San Saba at the airport turn west onto FM 500. At CR 137 turn north and follow to the bridge. Awesome place for a picnic too.

[@skipsadventures3210]

May have to put this on the list to do.

[@kc5qnb1]

Great video, thanks!

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

The bridge is so cool. I like seeing old things like that. I also subbed your channel.

[@thatonecowpoke4794]

I recognized the bride before I even clicked on the video I’ve been going there since I was kid

[@skipsadventures3210]

Yeah been around here most my life and couldn’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner.

[@AlexReed_]

Great ❤ just subscribed

[@skipsadventures3210]

Thank you

[@davidsklar1988]

Look at Ringling lake park in Eastland Texas it's pretty cool

[@katjaglover6137]

I'm from Cisco Texas

[@skipsadventures3210]

Hood county here

[@T.P.F.]

The Creation Evidence Museum, in Glenn Rose, is a awesome place to visit too.

[@skipsadventures3210]

Been there was raised in Glen Rose.

[@claytonblanchard4451]

Lies

[@kenday7942]

There is a cable suspension bridge that looks similar to that although much shorter and in a lot worse repair. It is located a few miles east of Sherman, Texas just on the north side of US 82. Is visible from US 82. Edit added: it actually looks like it could be older than that one but I don’t know. The bridge is over Choctaw Creek.

[@skipsadventures3210]

Interesting may have to try to find that one when I’m in the area.

[@timothymilam732]

I believe that your talking about the old Texas Northeastern railroad track that runs between Sherman and Bonham all the way to Texarkana, and Gainesville the other direction. The bridge is on the north side of hiway 82, just inside the treeline, and in the spring time till late fall it basically disappears due to all the trees growing in front of it. Would that possibly the bridge your thinking of, but I'm fairly certain that isn't suspension bridge but made of wood trestle type about 10 to 15 feet above the ground in a area that floods when it comes heavy rain around there. I could be mistaken but I am fairly positive that you are seeing the railroad bridge. But it's from the early 1900's, but possibly late 1800's.

[@billybob76511]

You should go see the Regency Swinging Bridge in San Saba. And old girl friend took me there one night, pulled out on the bridge, slammed her brakes and the bridge swung up with the headlights pointing up to where they left the road. Some kids actually set the original timbers on fire years ago. It is worth the trip.

[@skipsadventures3210]

I will put that on the list thanks for the suggestion.

[@BackWoods3030]

Very interesting video. Just subscribed

[@skipsadventures3210]

Thanks

[@baytownbert2]

Have you considered geocaching?

[@skipsadventures3210]

Actually when we travel we do this. I always seem to forget when I’m home and running around.

[@jaggedlittlepill100]

I'm from Comanche Texas but I now live in Kilgore - God's richest acre. My sister still lives in Comanche. On May 26, 1874, John Wesley Hardin came to Comanche for a second short visit with his parents preacher James Gipson Hardin and Mary Elizabeth Dixson Hardin to celebrate his 21st birthday and to race Rondo, a horse he had purchased in Comanche in January. At the races which were held 1-1/2 miles NE of Comanche Rondo won first, brother Jo G Hardin's horse won second and cousin Bud Dixson's horse was third. Hardin claimed winnings of $3000 in cash, 50 head of cattle, 15 horses and a wagon. Brown County Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb was reported to have been at the races but he made no effort to detain Hardin. Hardin and his cousins gathered at Jack Wright's Saloon on the NE corner of the Square to celebrate. Aware of the posted reward because of his 40 murders, Hardin was always alert and moved quickly. For reasons unknown, Webb came to Comanche that afternoon following the races. Hardin was told that Webb had come to kill him and capture his friend Jim Taylor. The encounter between Hardin and Webb was brief - a few words between the two men, an exchange of bullets, then Webb fell dead near the door of the Jack Wright Saloon. Hardin was wounded but escaped.

[@skipsadventures3210]

Now that is some Texas history. Awesome information may have to track a few landmarks down to see what they look like today.

[@williamscoggin1509]

I would suggest Palestine Texas. But research before you come and see what there is to check out. Queen Anne architecture homes, cool county courthouse in, Dogwood trails Park and on and on. John a dragon statue postmaster of the Confederacy lived here and hung out with Davy Crockett discussing Texas. Original railroad hub coming through from Louisiana. Texas State railroad vintage trains.

[@spamlessaccount]

Most organizations don't credit this as the oldest. Not sure why since the ones they credit are much newer.

[@skipsadventures3210]

That is strange.

[@claytonblanchard4451]

The Bluff Dale bridge is not even close to the first in Texas, much less the US. A little research ahead of posting would help. The historic Waco Suspension Bridge was completed in 1870 and remains a legendary icon of downtown Waco. For years, the bridge served as a Chisholm Trail crossing, and at the time of its completion, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. The bridge was built with cable supplied by the John Roebling Co., who built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

[@spamlessaccount]

@@claytonblanchard4451The Waco bridge is not a cable-stayed bridge. That's the subject at hand.

[@Ronin8451]

You missed the Greenwood Dance Hall in Bluff Dale! It's the oldest operating dance hall and saloon in Texas. Bluff Dale was formed around the deer processing facility in the 1870's and died off after WW-II. The open air seafood restaurant at the end of Greenwood street is awesome to eat at too next to the dance hall.

[@skipsadventures3210]

I am going to have to check that out. I am local and did not know this.

[@Ronin8451]

They have pictures of Hank Williams at the Greenwood in the 1940's posing with the workers from the processing house.

[@worldtraveler930]

If you're talking about the Bar next to the Masonic Lodge I remember them building that and I am only 44 years old!!! 🤨

[@worldtraveler930]

I am originally from and presently living in Stephenville Texas the cable bridge in Bluffdale is on a dead end county road so not a lot of traffic, it is in much worse shape than when you have originally filmed it I'm Firmly of the mindset that the Only Reason it's standing is out of Habit alone. The city of Thurber which is on both sides of the highway does have an Exceptionally Excellent Museum that is operated by Tarleton State University which can fill you in on all the details that were not available when this was originally posted Well Worth Viewing It is free and does accept donations. You'll find the majority of all old Texas graveyards have a lot of Dead from the Spanish Influenza that hit America and the world at the end of World War I P.s. Grave stones and monuments are erected by the family to memorialize they're past Kinfolk it is not considered dis respectful to show their history as in someone who may be distantly related will discover where there kinfolk have always been buried.

[@skipsadventures3210]

I plan on revisiting the area and doing a better job of documenting everything.

[@HaveKayaksWillTravel]

We love TEXAS!! Hi Skip, I'm your 5th subscriber Ken. I think you did a great job with this video. I'm adding Thurber and that Bluff Dale Bridge to the list of places to go make videos. This channel is #swervycrew approved. 😃

[@skipsadventures3210]

Hey thanks for subscribing I really need to get back to this channel. I have another one been posting on just boring work related stuff. I just checked your out and subscribed as well off to watch a few now.

[@katjaglover6137]

Yeah I knew about those swinging bridge the dinosaur feet and stuff you're bending redgap gunsight texas are old Scranton tx

[@skipsadventures3210]

Going to have to go and check those out.

[@katjaglover6137]

@@skipsadventures3210 thx u red Gap is what Cisco Texas used to all this patient left and red Gap is a cobblestones by railroad when I was there in and then there's Scranton the old high school they used to meet and have Singh songs and then there's Scranton the old high school they used to meet and have sing songs make gunshot was no cowboy town graveyard and then there's an old church East meadow community from the graveyard but there's a new gunshot Baptist Church on the highway going into

[@katjaglover6137]

Going into Breckenridge I'm sorry on 183

[@rockysan]

​@@katjaglover6137We need to get back to Breckenridge to see some dear friends soon. It's been too long.

[@oldfart3137]

Terrible sound quality.

[@skipsadventures3210]

Yes I know trying to get better at making videos. My apologies.

[@honestytoafault]

You should go to mills County and check out THE SWINGING BRIDGE. Don't take your wife's car tho.

[@skipsadventures3210]

I will have to go check that out.

[@roosterwilliams8498]

It doesn't really swing anymore since they updated it but the dirt roads are really good just look up regency bridge

[@altonkenne579]

Real Texans don't say rural it's woods or brush country or out in the wild the hell with city talk

[@skipsadventures3210]

Ha you got me guess I’m not a real Texan.

[@mse7501]

Scaring me. Go back!

[@skipsadventures3210]

Just revisited the bridge and posted an updated video. It is not getting any better.

[@tommyjohnson9635]

Not long ago, TIN TOP TEXAS Had a bridge like that one, south of Weatherford, do you Remember. Tried to find it A couple years ago , found the New Bridge, guess they removed the old bridge , What a shame.

[@Ronin8451]

The old Swinging Tin Top bridge was washed away in a flood in the 1980's. I grew up here in Parker County.

[@skipsadventures3210]

I’m in tintop eating lunch today. This one seems to be gone.

[@tommyjohnson9635]

1980 that's sounds about correct , I stumbled across it in the mid to Late seventys and it was still in Use, driving My 1 ton fully loaded Work truck I did not attempt to Cross , sat there and watched cars Go by and it was amazing because You could literally see the the bridge moving like your car was Riding a wave, over 40 years ago And feel like yesterday, that's the Good things I'm life.

[@Ronin8451]

We used to jump off the old bridge as kids until a friend dove and hit a shallow spot and was paralyzed in summer 1980. Good memories crossing it as it swayed to and fro driving on the twin wooden tracks.