North Canadian River Bridge in Oklahoma City, OK
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North Canadian River Bridge

The North Canadian River Bridge is a road bridge in Oklahoma City, OK, built in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It crosses the North Canadian River along what is now North Overholser Drive and is counted among the pieces of Route 66 in Oklahoma. It sits less than a mile off the old road's main line, a short side trip for drivers who enjoy early highway engineering.

What is North Canadian River Bridge?

This is a road bridge that carries North Overholser Drive over the North Canadian River. It was finished in 1924, two years before Route 66 was designated in 1926, and the new highway made use of it as part of its path through Oklahoma. Its National Register listing recognizes it as a surviving piece of the state's early road network.

Bridges like this one show how Route 66 was stitched together from roads and river crossings that already existed, rather than built from scratch.

Visiting North Canadian River Bridge: tips

Expect a quick stop of about 15 minutes, mostly for photos of the structure and the river. Park only where it is clearly allowed and stay well clear of traffic on North Overholser Drive. Fuel and food are both about half a mile away, and the Quality Inn & Suites is about 0.6 mile away if you want to stay nearby.

The Milk Bottle Grocery, a retro roadside landmark, is about 7.5 miles away, and the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum about 8 miles, so the bridge fits easily into a day spent around Oklahoma City.

Practical info

Address
8703-8709 North Overholser Drive, 73008
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near North Canadian River Bridge

All diners on Route 66 →
  • Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, OK
    Diner & restaurant

    Cattlemen's Steakhouse

    Oklahoma City, OK · 7.5 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

    A Stockyards City steakhouse, said to be the oldest restaurant still running in Oklahoma.

  • Diner & restaurant

    Florence's Restaurant

    Oklahoma City, OK · 10.0 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

    An Oklahoma City restaurant honored in 2022 with a James Beard Foundation America's Classics award.

On the map

Full map

North Canadian River Bridge with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near North Canadian River Bridge

All of Oklahoma
Milk Bottle Grocery in Oklahoma City, OK

Milk Bottle Grocery

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · on Route 66

A tiny three-sided grocery crowned by a giant metal milk bottle on Oklahoma City's old Route 66 line.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

7.5 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK

Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · 0.7 mi from Route 66

Home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, with hands-on exhibits on state history and a theater.

MuseumPhoto credit

8.0 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · 1.6 mi from Route 66

Downtown Oklahoma City's art museum, known for its Chihuly glass and a 55-foot glass tower.

MuseumPhoto credit

8.6 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · 1.4 mi from Route 66

The memorial and museum on the site of the Murrah Federal Building, honoring those affected in 1995.

MuseumPhoto credit

8.7 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City, OK

Myriad Botanical Gardens

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · 1.9 mi from Route 66

A 15-acre downtown garden in Oklahoma City built around the Crystal Bridge Conservatory.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

8.9 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, OK

American Banjo Museum

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · 1.8 mi from Route 66

A museum devoted to the banjo's long American story, from the slave trade era to today.

MuseumPhoto credit

9.2 mi from North Canadian River Bridge

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