John Dunn Bridge

John Dunn Bridge is located in Arroyo Hondo in north-central New Mexico. It crosses the Rio Grande near the confluence of the Rio Hondo. It was built in 1908 by John Dunn who transported travelers and mail into Taos and housed travelers overnight at his hotel near the bridge. It was sold to the Territory of New Mexico in 1912, and at that time the toll bridge was made a free bridge to travelers. Recreational opportunities on the rivers include fishing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. It is near the Black Rock Hot Springs.

John Dunn Bridge
Coordinates36°32′5.83″N 105°42′31.34″W
CarriesMotor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
CrossesRio Grande
LocaleArroyo Hondo, New Mexico
History
Construction start1908
Location

Geography

The bridge is located about 3 miles (5 km) west of Arroyo Hondo on a gravel road that parallels the Rio Hondo.[1] The road, off NM 522, runs through Bureau of Land Management property and is known as John Dunn Bridge Road and County Road B-007.[2]

An 18-mile (29 km) portion of the Rio Grande called the "Taos Box" is used for whitewater rafting between the John Dunn Bridge, at the northern end, and the Taos Junction Bridge.[3]

History
John Dunn Bridge under construction on 11 November 2022
Previous John Dunn Bridge, photograph taken about 1900,[4] prior to construction of the current John Dunn Bridge in 1908

In or after 1893 John Dunn bought a bridge that crossed the Rio Grande and established a business taking passengers and freight from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at Tres Piedras to Taos. The bridge burned down and he rebuilt it in 1908.[5]

He built a hotel near the bridge there for travelers. The hotel provided fresh fish from the Rio Grande and fresh milk from his milk cow. It was a toll bridge for which he charged $1 per person and less for livestock. He provided daily mail service from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at Tres Piedras to Embudo, Taos Junction and Taos, that was otherwise delivered unpredictably.[6]

He operated the bridge until 1912 when he sold it to the Territory of New Mexico who made it a free bridge.[5]

The bridge was closed in 2007 for the winter following a rockslide in October of that year.[7]

Recreation

Fishing is available on the Rio Hondo near the bridge[1] and on the Rio Grande.[8] Kayaking and whitewater rafting are popular recreation activities on Rio Grande, particularly for experienced rafters. A put-in spot is located near the bridge.[3][9]

Black Rock Hot Springs are located off a dirt road on the western side of the Rio Grande after crossing the bridge.[10]

References
  1. Craig Martin (2002). Fly Fishing in Northern New Mexico. UNM Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-8263-2761-1.
  2. Andy Dennison. "Rock slides close John Dunn Bridge Road for winter." Taos News. October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  3. Craig Martin (2002). Fly Fishing in Northern New Mexico. UNM Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-8263-2761-1.
  4. Old Stagecoach Road. Mountain Project. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  5. Marta Weigle; Peter White (2003). The Lore of New Mexico. UNM Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-8263-3157-1.
  6. G. R. Williamson (15 May 2012). "John Dunn". Frontier Gambling. G.R. Williamson. ISBN 978-0-9852780-1-4.
  7. "Rock slides close John Dunn Bridge Road for winter." Taos News. October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  8. Van Beacham (August 2010). New Mexico. Wilderness Adventures Press. p. 189. ISBN 978-1-932098-82-2.
  9. United States. Forest Service. Southwestern Region (1990). Enchanted Circle and Valle Vidal Loop tours: Carson National Forest. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 6.
  10. Matt C. Bischoff (2008). New Mexico Hot Springs. Globe Pequot Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7627-4582-1.
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