The historic Worley Bridge across the San Gabriel River near Apache Pass received the prestigious Recorded Texas Historical Landmark designation from the Texas Historical Commission. The Milam County Historical Commission (MCHC) hosted the marker dedication on Sunday.
In 1911, over 500 residents of the Sharp, Tracy and Duncan communities petitioned the county commissioners court for a bridge across the San Gabriel. Frank Wesley Worley and his wife, Freda Doss Worley, donated the land on which the bridge was erected. In 1913 the Pratt through-truss bridge was erected. It is the only historic bridge in Milam County which is still open to vehicular traffic.
Program highlights include MCHC Chair Holly Jentsch who presided over the ceremony, Pastor Madison Garcia-Tabor of St. John’s United Methodist Church gave the invocation, Pct. 4 Commissioner Wesley Payne led the pledge and past MCHC Chair and current Marker Chair Lynn Young gave remarks on the marker process and invited those present to step back in time and reflect on the challenges faced by farmers over 100 years ago.
Past MCHC Chair Geri Burnett gave the history of Worley Bridge, Kit Worley made remarks and praised Dr. Lucile Estell for her devotion to historic preservation, Frank “Trey” Felton III gave the closing prayer, and Mackenlee Worley Brinkmeyer rode her horse across the bridge reminding attendees of the early days before automobiles.
Six generations of Frank and Freda Worley’s descendants have lived in the area since the 1880s.
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