Page "Waco Suspension Bridge" Paragraph 5

Due to lack of machine shops in the Waco area, getting the materials to the building site was a journey in itself.

The nearest railroad was away, and the closest town with artisans with the skills needed was Galveston, over 212 miles ( 341 km ) from the build site.

Supplies were loaded onto a steamer in Galveston, and ferried to Bryan.

From there, they were loaded onto wagons pulled by oxen.

The pothole-filled dirt road from Bryan to Waco was bad, even by 19th century Texas standards.