Taylor's Bridge

Idaho’s earliest toll bridge spanned the Snake River at this rocky site in 1865, replacing Eagle Rock Ferry nine miles upstream. James Madison Taylor, a relative of Presidents Madison and Taylor and a founder of Denver, Colorado, settled here in 1864 to develop an improved route for his freight line from Salt Lake to Montana’s new gold mines. After his bridge was built, telegraph service reached here on July 16, 1866, and Eagle Rock, as Idaho Falls was known until 1890, became a regional transportation center. A railroad bridge was built adjacent to Taylor’s bridge in 1879.

Idaho Falls, Idaho · United States