Historic 35th Parallel
Hell Canyon Bridge Site
Marker:
Hell Canyon Bridge Marker – The marker is missing
Note:
The marker is missing. The bridge was demolished and replaced in 2016. The marker reportedly was moved to the Old Trails Museum in Winslow, but in March 2019 members of the Maricopa Chapter verified with museum managers that the marker is not there.
Location:
Originally on State Route 89, milepost 345
Just north of Drake, Yavapai County, Arizona
34.993086, -112.391737
Historical Significance:
The Historic 35th Parallel marker remembered the explorers who followed the path of the 35th parallel across northern Arizona. This route has been journeyed by Indians, missionaries, trappers, and military men. Hell Canyon Bridge was a large‑scale steel truss bridge built in 1954 to span this historically important transportation route north of Prescott.
The plaque read, “Historic 35th parallel / For ages a route traveled by Indians – Missionaries – Trappers / U.S. Army survey in 1851 by Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves / In 1854 Lt. A. W. Whipple with scientists & troops made a topographical survey for a railroad to the Pacific / 1857-9 Lt. Edward E. Beale with his camel corps explored for a wagon road route of the Santa Fe R.R. / Hell’s Canyon bridge completed in 1954 by Arizona State Highway Department / Marker placed by Arizona Society Daughters of the American Revolution 1956.”
Dedicated:
November 3, 1956
Sponsor:
General George Crook Chapter, NSDAR
