The King Bridge Company constructed Austin Bridge in 1872 as a 160-foot bowstring arch spanning the Neosho River east of what is now Chanute, reflecting local pioneers' $15,000 investment to move livestock and crops to the railhead. In 1910, the bridge was moved downstream to the community of Austin. It closed to vehicular traffic in 1972 but remained open to foot traffic, and on September 15, 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In August 1999, the bridge was moved into Santa Fe Park to serve as the southern terminus of a 3.11-mile hike and bike path, with funding supplied by a Federal grant, Neosho County, and the City of Chanute. The Santa Fe Railroad had enlarged a natural lake in 1911 as a water source for steam engines and later gave the lake, adjacent land, and the 762 Steam Engine to the City, while additional acreage was secured to create Santa Fe Park.