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Chevelon Creek Bridge

Historic bridge
Near Winslow, Arizona
3.5 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Chevelon Creek Bridge, a historic steel crossing, stands near Winslow, AZ, about 12 miles southeast of town and about 4 miles off the old road. It crosses Chevelon Creek on the first permanent road between Holbrook and Winslow, a route that also formed part of an early national highway. Rare in Arizona and still close to its original condition, it was added to the National Register in 1983.

What is Chevelon Creek Bridge?

This is a Warren pony truss bridge: a low steel frame of triangles along each side of the deck, without overhead bracing. That design is unusual in Arizona, which is one reason it earned recognition. The bridge has survived with very few changes, so it still looks much as it did when the first cars rolled over it.

History of Chevelon Creek Bridge

The bridge was one of the first built by the state of Arizona after it joined the Union in 1912. It carried the first permanent road linking Holbrook, the Navajo County seat, with Winslow. That road mattered well beyond northern Arizona, because it was part of an early coast-to-coast highway at a time when car travel was booming and national routes were just taking shape. The National Register listing came in 1983.

Visiting Chevelon Creek Bridge: tips

Plan a detour of about 4 miles off Route 66 onto back roads. Enjoy the bridge from the roadside rather than climbing on the structure. Allow 15 to 20 minutes. The Jack Rabbit Trading Post is about 6 miles away and Homolovi State Park about 9 miles.