Worley Bridge gets Historic Landmark

The Milam County Historical Commission dedicated the Worley Bridge as a Registered Texas Historic Landmark on Sunday, Nov. 5. 

Hosted by the Milam County Historical Commission. Location is CR 428 at the San Gabriel River near FM 908 at the Entrance to Apache Pass. 

The land for the bridge near the historic Apache Pass River crossing was donated by Frank Worley, a large landowner. Located along the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, the bridge has served generations of farmers and ranchers. 

Construction began on the  Pratt through truss bridge in  1911 and was completed in 1913.  

The Worley Bridge and  Milam County cooperated with TXDOT for a massive bridge facelift in 2011. The bridge is featured in Historic Bridges of Milam County written  by David Galbreath, Lucile Estell, Joy Graham, and Carolyn Temple, published in 2017. Copies of the  book are available from the Milam County Historical Commission. 

In 1911, 500 residents of the Sharp, Tracy and Duncan communities petitioned the Commissioners Court for a bridge across the San Gabriel River near what is now Apache Pass. Frank and Freda Worley donated the land for the bridge. Completed in 1913, the Pratt through truss bridge is the only historic bridge in the county still open to vehiclular traffic. 

The historic Worley Bridge is featured in Historic Bridges of Milam County by David Galbreath, Carolyn Temple, Lucile Estell and Joy Graham, available from the Milam County Historical Commission.

Thanks to all who participated in the dedication and to all who participated.

The Worley Bridge is the only historic bridge in the county still used by vehicles.