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The
Mexico covered was constructed in 1858-1859 at the cost of
$4,000. This bridge was located three and one half miles
southeast of Paris across Elk Fork of Salt River. The Mexico
bridge was reached by a winding gravel road going of Highway
154 east of Paris. The bridge was built of native lumber.
William T. Coppadge was the bridge commissioner.
Later
the bridge was a part of County Highway System until July 9,
1967, when the flood waters of Elk Fork of Salt River carried
the bridge down stream.
There
was one fond recollection of the old bridge expressed in the
Monroe County Appeal, May 5, 1922.
Jim
Morehead near Oak Ridge, recalls that on the first day of May
1865, a neighborhood gathering was held at the bridge, the
same structure that is still in use. The floor was swept and
utilized by the young folks for all sorts of games. Late in
the afternoon the man who carried the mail between Paris and
Mexico came along. Two saddle bags held the entire bunch of
letters and papers. The mail man traveled on horseback, coming
over the bridge one day and going back the next.
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