Possum Kingdom Bridge

Works Progress Administration and Possum Kingdom

Architects mimicked the ancient form of masonry arch bridges by highlighting the keystone, or the central stone at the top of the arch, as seen in the Possum Kingdom Arch Bridge. Located in Palo Pinto County, this bridge remains the longest stone arch built in Texas at 433 feet and 4 inches. Members of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), many of whom were unemployed coal miners, completed it in 1942, yet the bridge continues to withstand powerful flood waters from the Morris Sheppard Dam one mile upstream.