June 26, 2007

The Springfield Bridge is the oldest bridge in Arkansas, although it has been moved from its original location. It was erected in 1874 across the North Cadron Creek three miles east of Springfield (Conway County) on the Springfield–Des Arc Road. This early thoroughfare connected Des Arc (Prairie County), a thriving port for steamboat traffic on the White River, with Springfield, the county seat of Conway County from 1850 to 1873. The bridge was replaced in 1991 by a modern concrete structure approximately 150 feet to the north. After it was taken out of service, the bridge deteriorated due to vandalism and erosion. In 2016 and 2017, through the cooperation of Faulkner County, the City of Conway, and the Faulkner County Historical Society, the bridge was restored and moved to span a cove in Lake Beaverfork Park, just north of Conway (Faulkner County).