BENTON, Ark. — One of Arkansas’s oldest bridges is ready for a second life. Saline County officials will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10 a.m., to celebrate the restoration and reopening of the historic Old River Bridge—a 260-foot iron span that once served travelers on Arkansas’s early highways and now stands to connect a new generation of outdoor users.
The public event will take place near 2215 Airlane Drive in Benton, marking the return of a structure that has stood at the heart of local history for more than 130 years.
“June 24 is a date we’ve looked forward to for a very long time,” said Saline County Judge Matt Brumley. “Fifty-one years ago, the Old River Bridge was damaged and closed after a truck hauling concrete bricks fell through its floor. Now, the oldest bridge in its original location will reopen to the public. This isn’t just a celebration of history—it’s a moment that brings our community together. Bring your friends and family, and be one of the first to walk across the Old River Bridge once again.”
A Bridge With Deep Roots
The Old River Bridge was originally commissioned by the Saline County Court in 1889, which appropriated $5,000 for its construction “over the Saline River at the Military Road Crossing.” Built in 1891 by the Youngstown Bridge Company of Ohio, the structure features iron beams, two large trusses, and a wooden platform supported by iron columns. It quickly became a vital link for travelers and trade across Central Arkansas.
The bridge stands near the site of Saline Crossings, where William Lockhart established the first permanent white settlement in Saline County in 1815. The area was a key junction along the Old Missouri Trail, later known as the Southwest Trail, a major early American route surveyed by the U.S. Army in the 1820s and 1830s. The Military Road that crossed the Saline here was used by westward-bound settlers and also witnessed the forced migration of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears.
In 1831, the Arkansas Territorial Legislature granted Lockhart permission to operate a toll bridge at the crossing. By the late 19th century, that earlier span was replaced by the iron bridge now restored.
From Collapse to Comeback
The bridge served Benton residents until April 12, 1974, when it was decommissioned after a truck loaded with concrete bricks fell through its deteriorated wooden platform. Though it was closed to vehicles, the site remained popular with local anglers and explorers. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1977, but its future remained uncertain for decades.
Momentum to restore the bridge began building in the early 2000s. Actor and Arkansas native Billy Bob Thornton included several shots of the bridge in his 1996 film Sling Blade, including the movie’s iconic poster, which features his character silhouetted at its center.
In 2008, a group of Benton residents and business owners—including Bill White, owner of White’s Furniture—formed Saline Crossing Regional Park and Recreational Area, Inc. White donated five acres of land surrounding the bridge, and five additional acres were acquired to establish a future park at the site.
Through years of fundraising, advocacy, and planning, the group secured a $500,000 grant from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program, with support from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The bridge was disassembled, transported for evaluation and repair, and is now fully restored and reassembled in its original location.
Trail to the Future
More than just a historical preservation effort, the bridge will play a major role in Arkansas’s trail network. It is a critical piece of the planned Southwest Trail, a 65-mile bicycle and pedestrian greenway that will connect Little Rock to Hot Springs via Pulaski, Saline, and Garland counties. Once completed, the trail will provide an uninterrupted route for cyclists, runners, and walkers across some of the state’s most scenic landscapes.
“This phase of the Riverside Park expansion is another step in our long-term goal to increase access to outdoor spaces across the county,” Brumley said. “We’re excited to see this vision come to life.”
The public is invited to attend the June 24 ceremony and help celebrate a structure that has connected communities for more than a century—and is now ready to do so once again.
Event Details:
- Near 2215 Airlane Drive, Benton, AR 72015
- Tuesday, June 24, 2025
- 10 a.m.
- Video Announcement: Watch on Facebook
Related Articles:
- Southwest Trail Breaks Ground in Saline County
- Pulaski County Opens First Phase of the Southwest Trail
- Benton Celebrates Grand Opening of New Mountain Bike Park
Some photos for this article are courtesy of the Saline County and taken earlier this year except where noted.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
