Swinging bridges make interesting historic landmarks in mid-Missouri

BRUMLEY, Mo. -- At one time, according to area history, there were eight swinging bridges in Miller County. Today, there are only six remaining, and two of them can be found near the small community of Brumley.

Once popular hangouts in the summer, the two bridges are more than 75 years old and are in need of repair, but are still interesting landmarks.

About two miles from Brumley, on a gravel road now called Swinging Bridges Road, are the Auglaize Bridge and the Mill Creek Bridge.

The Auglaize Bridge is the largest of the swinging bridges in Miller County. It was built in 1931 after the construction of the Bagnell Dam caused the waters of the Auglaize Creek to back up. It is 400 feet long.

The Mill Creek Bridge, just a short distance away, spans a small waterway known to locals as Mill Creek. It is only 100 feet long, considerably smaller than its neighboring bridge.

A set of twins

The two bridges are more commonly referred to by local residents as the Twin Bridges.

Although both bridges are in dire need of repair, the thought of rebuilding either of them brings sadness to the people who grew up in the area.

"My dad helped to build those bridges," said lifetime Brumley resident Lloyd Degraffenreid. "I was born in 1927 so I wasn't very old when those bridges were built. They used to be a real popular hangout for families in the summertime. People would go down there and have picnics, go swimming and camp out."

The Twin Bridges were designed and built by Joseph Dice, who constructed as many as 40 swinging bridges throughout several mid-Missouri counties, including Miller, Benton, Maries and Cooper.

There is a Missouri State Park next to the Auglaize Bridge, which is open to the public.

If you plan to visit the swinging bridges, be sure to roll the windows down to get the "full effect." It will sound like you are crossing an old wood-frame roller coaster.

The bridges are sturdy and will hold, but are open to local traffic only.

Both the Auglaize Bridge and the Mill Creek Bridge are listed as historic bridges with the Historic Bridges of the United States organization.