Cradlebaugh Bridge

The remains of Cradlebaugh Bridge, built in 1861 by William Cradlebaugh, stand a quarter mile westward. The bridge shortened the distance from Carson City to Aurora in the then booming Esmeralda Mining District. Two routes ran south from Carson City to the bridge, where they joined, crossed the river, and headed into the desert. One followed the west side of the Carson River, while the foothill alternate went by way of Jacks Valley and the old John James Ranch, then around the hill to the bridge. Five miles south of Cradlebaugh Bridge, the road passed Desert Station, a lively hostelry, and beyond it the Twelve Mile House en route to Esmeralda. Douglas County purchased the road and bridge in 1895 for $5,000.

Indian Hills, Nevada · United States