Not the exact bridge, but some local news about bridges.
Aug 18, 1890 SFDNM
LUMBER, STONE AND BEEF; A TALK WITH A CHAMA CITIZEN ON THE GROWTH OF RIO ARRIBA INDUSTRIES.
Mr. W. E. Broad, of Chama, is in the capital on business [Santa Fe] before the district court. He says the farming interests in his locality have doubled within the past year, and all crops are growing luxuriantly, abundant rains have made it possible to produce quite a good crops this season as with irrigation. Many substantial buildings are going up at Chama, and on every side are evidence of thrift and industry. Chama, outside of Durango, is the most important shipping station on the southern division of the D&RG road, and the company seems to be appreciating this fact, for it is now doing more work in the way of improving its line than at any time since construction. Several
steel bridges have been put in and the smaller bridges are being replaced by filling in, making the road much more pleasant to travel over.
A branch road has been built south of Chama some three miles, to the lumber camps, and steel is now arriving to extend this [track] four miles further toward Tierra Amarilla; eventually this spur will be pushed down the Rio Chama to a connection, probably, with the main New Mexico line near Chamita, just above Espanola.
Chama has come into great prominence in a few years as a shipping point for cattle and sheep and lumber. By this means, many will be surprised to learn, $40,000 to $50,000 per month is expended there. The lumber shipments from Chama now amount to 3,000,000 feet a month, and it goes to Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs. In other words, Colorado citizens send annually into New Mexico $360,000 for lumber, to say nothing of the vast quantities of building stone shipped from Amargo.
Sept 23, 1890 Santa Fe line
A terrific rain storm occurred along the head waters of the Rio Grande yesterday afternoon. The flood came down with a rush and left several inches of sand on the narrow gauge track between Espanola and the
bridge. The train men had to get out and actually shovel the sand away from the rails, hence last night’s train was several hours late.
May 4, 1891
The
bridge which was built over the Rio Grande at Embudo by the D&RG RR was given to the county on condition that the county would keep it in repair, has become dangerous from neglect; the middle pier is already gone and the rest will soon follow, so it will be necessary for the court to go to Taos by way of Tres Piedras.
