The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

On May 10, 2010 the National Park Service named the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Cow Bayou Swing Bridge is one of only two remaining center pivot swing bridges of its kind in Texas.

Construction began on the bridge in 1939 the year after the Rainbow Bridge was completed. Following the dedication of the swing bridge in 1941 the small town of Prairie View became known as Bridge City.

The swing bridge over Cow Bayou brought about the consolidation of the Prairie View and Winfree school districts to become Bridge City I.S.D. Operation of the bridge was a routine part of life in early Bridge City. Near it, community, commerce and industry flourished to become the City of Bridge City in 1970.

An engineering marvel of her day, the rare Cow Bayou Swing Bridge is a state historical treasure. Here in Bridge City, it is among the few remaining landmarks to have survived time and the storm surge of Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13, 2008.

"Today both Bridge City namesake bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places," said Mark Dunn of the Bridge City Citizens For Historic Preservation, "The Rainbow Bridge was listed in 1996. In a town that was named for it's bridges I think that is very appropriate that the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge join her companion on the National Register."

"This will open the way for funding opportunities in heritage tourism and other programs," Dunn said.