John Dunn Bridge
John Dunn Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°32′5.83″N 105°42′31.34″W / 36.5349528°N 105.7087056°W |
| Carries | Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles |
| Crosses | Rio Grande |
| Locale | Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1908 |
| Location | |
 | |
John Dunn Bridge is located in
Geography
The bridge is located about 3 miles (5 km) west of Arroyo Hondo on a gravel road that parallels the Rio Hondo.[1] The road, off NM 522, runs through Bureau of Land Management property and is known as John Dunn Bridge Road and County Road B-007.[2]
An 18-mile (29 km) portion of the Rio Grande called the "Taos Box" is used for whitewater rafting between the John Dunn Bridge, at the northern end, and the Taos Junction Bridge.[3]
History
In or after 1893 John Dunn bought a bridge that crossed the Rio Grande and established a business taking passengers and freight from the
He built a hotel near the bridge there for travelers. The hotel provided fresh fish from the Rio Grande and fresh milk from his milk cow. It was a toll bridge for which he charged $1 per person and less for livestock. He provided daily mail service from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at Tres Piedras to Embudo, Taos Junction and Taos, that was otherwise delivered unpredictably.[6]
He operated the bridge until 1912 when he sold it to the
The bridge was closed in 2007 for the winter following a rockslide in October of that year.[7]
Recreation
Fishing is available on the Rio Hondo near the bridge[1] and on the Rio Grande.[8] Kayaking and whitewater rafting are popular recreation activities on Rio Grande, particularly for experienced rafters. A put-in spot is located near the bridge.[3][9]
Black Rock Hot Springs are located off a dirt road on the western side of the Rio Grande after crossing the bridge.[10]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8263-2761-1.
- ^ Andy Dennison. "Rock slides close John Dunn Bridge Road for winter." Taos News. October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8263-2761-1.
- ^ Old Stagecoach Road. Mountain Project. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8263-3157-1.
- ISBN 978-0-9852780-1-4.
- ^ "Rock slides close John Dunn Bridge Road for winter." Taos News. October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-932098-82-2.
- ^ United States. Forest Service. Southwestern Region (1990). Enchanted Circle and Valle Vidal Loop tours: Carson National Forest. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 6.
- ISBN 978-0-7627-4582-1.