Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge


Address
205 State Rte 538
Mooringsport, Louisiana 71060

Contact
940-202-9141

More Info




In 1914, as modes of transportation progressed, the Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge at Mooringsport was built to replace the ferry. The Midland Bridge Company of Kansas City, Missouri built the bridge under authority of the Caddo Parish Police Jury. This vehicular bridge illustrates the unique "Vertical-Lift" design of Mr. John Alexander Low Waddell of the illustrious firm of Waddell and Harrington Bridges. This design allowed the entire center span to lift in a vertical direction to allow tall oil equipment to pass through, especially Gulf Oil Company's pile driver. This design was invented in 1893 and was successfully introduced in Chicago with the South Halsted Street Bridge. The Caddo Lake Drawbridge is a direct descendent of this structure.

In the summer of 1941, just prior to World War II, the United States Army held maneuvers in and around Mooringsport as a means of preparing the soldiers for war. During the maneuvers, Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton came to Mooringsport and led the Red and Blue armies in the "capture" of the bridge. They also bombed the bridge with sacks of flour.

In the mid 1940's, ownership of the bridge was transferred away from Caddo Parish to the Louisiana Department of Highways (LA Department of Transportation & Development-DOTD). Shortly after the transfer, the Department of Highways realized that there was no longer a need for the bridge to open. Consequently, the concrete counterweights were removed from the bridge's tower and dropped in the lake.

You can click on the map to open Google Maps in a new tab for directions and more.

Caddo Lake Email Updates


 

Visit our Caddo Lake Sponsors!

Caddo Lake Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Caddo Lake Weather Forecast

Monday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 82

Monday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 65

Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 80

Tuesday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 54

Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 63

Wednesday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 42

Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Hi: 53

Thursday Night

Chance Rain Showers

Lo: 43


Caddo Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 2/26: 169.72 (+1.72)