historic caddo lake drawbridge

Easy to find no cars on Bridge, pedestrians only. overlooks Caddo Lake close to Southwestern Electric Power Plant.

Built in 1914, this vertical lift drawbridge was modeled after the South Halsted Street bridge in Chicago. It replaced a ferry, and allowed oil companies to move equipment under the bridge. This equipment was used to drill the first offshore wells.The bridge is in the National Register of Historic Places.

We were staying in Shreveport and decided to go for a drive towards Mooringsport because of the review I had read about the draw bridge. It is not the prettiest bridge I have ever seen. It is being used as a fishing pier. Would I make a special trip to see this sight? No. Having said that I would stop and have a look if I was driving by. The scenery of Caddo lake is pretty.

We only drove out there because we wanted to see more of Caddo Lake. We were so glad we did! The drawbridge has a very unique history, it was even used as a practice field for MacArthur! From there, don't miss the dam which is only two miles away (follow easy signage). The scenery is beautiful. The lake is gorgeous. Took tons of photos. (This lake is the first place in the world that had underwater drilling. They still have working pumpjacks up on platforms just randomly out in the lake. It's something to see a pumpjack with water lillies growing around it!)