The Willard bridge is located between Willard and Rossville, Kansas. The Rossville News of September 27, 1901, reports, "A force of men with teams and scrapers are putting the Rossville-Willard boulevard in fine shape. When complete this will be the 'boulest' road in the country." The April 11, 1902 issue reports that the Willard bridge is completed except for final work on the approaches but it can be used. The 1903 flood of the Kaw River washed out the bridge and did considerable damage to the road. It was several years before the road was again usable. This photograph is provided through a pilot project to host unique cultural heritage materials from local libraries on Kansas Memory and was accomplished by mutual agreement between the Northeast Kansas Library System, the Rossville Community Library, and the Kansas Historical Society.
Kansas Memory
Kansas Historical Society
Construction of the Willard bridge, Willard, Kansas