National Register Record for US HIGHWAY 77 BRIDGE AT THE CANADIAN RIVER

Historic Name: US HIGHWAY 77 BRIDGE AT THE CANADIAN RIVER
Current Name: PURCELL-LEXINGTON BRIDGE; BRIDGE #1404 0000 X
Address: US HIGHWAY 77 OVER THE CANADIAN RIVER
City: PURCELL VICINITY            County: MCCLAIN/CLEVELAND
Section: WEST: NW 1/4, NE 1/4, NE 1/4, SECTION 12; EAST: ON THE SECTION LINE BETWEEN SECTION 6 AND SECTION 7           Township: WEST: 6N; EAST: 6N           Range: WEST: 2W; EAST: 1 W          
Description of significance: THE US HIGHWAY 77 BRIDGE OVER THE CANADIAN RIVER NEAR PURCELL REMAINS THE LONGEST, HIGHEST, AND BEST EXAMPLE OF A DECK TRUSS BRIDGE IN THE STATE. AT THE TIME OF ITS CONSTRUCTION, IT WAS THE COSTLIEST SINGLE TRANSPORTATION-RELATED EXPENDITURE IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY. THE BRIDGE CONSISTS OF 36 WARREN DECK TRUSS SPANS AND A CONCRETE DECK. IT OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN 1939, REPLACING AN EARLIER TOLL BRIDGE THAT CONNECTED THE TOWNS OF LEXINGTON AND PURCELL. LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 9/2/2003. DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED IN 2019.

Type: STRUCTURE
Historic Function: TRANSPORTATION: ROAD-RELATED
Current Function: TRANSPORTATION: ROAD-RELATED
Area of Significance 1: TRANSPORTATION
Area of Significance 2: ENGINEERING
Architectural Style: OTHER: DECK TRUSS BRIDGE
Architect: JAMES, GUY H. - CONTRACTOR
Year Built: 1936            Original Site: YES
Condition: GOOD
Restricted: N
Documentation Source: None
Date Prepared: APRIL 2003