Spanning the Rio Puerco near Sanders, Arizona, this sturdy yet delicate 1923 Pratt pony‑truss bridgeonce carried early Route 66 traffic—linking travelers across what was then the National Old Trails Highway. Built between May 22 and September 10, 1923 by Monarch Engineering Company of Denver, it cost just over $15,000 and originally allowed two narrow 75-ft steel spans on a 190‑foot timber deck .
Sanders Bridge (Puerco River) — 1923 Pony Truss
When Route 66 was designated in 1926, this bridge became one of its early crossings—until 1931, when the highway was realigned. Afterward, it continued to serve local Navajo Reservation traffic under U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ownership. Closed to vehicles and sealed at both ends with sand, the structure remains open to pedestrians—a quiet relic you can still walk across today. In 1988, it earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places .
Why stop here?
- Historic charm: A real piece of the original Route 66 steel-and-wood engineering, distinct from later wider highway bridges.
- Photo opportunity: With sand-blocked entrances and a desolate setting, it feels like discovering a hidden ghost of the Mother Road.
- Walkable glimpse: The narrow timber deck lets you literally cross the past and feels like stepping into a simpler era.
- Local context: Just off the main road, it offers a moment of peaceful reflection in a landscape shaped by early highway travel and Navajo communities.
Tips for Visiting
- Ensure your vehicle is parked off the sand-blocked approach (one on Indian Route 9402/Claymine Road).
- Ideal time: early morning or late afternoon for dramatic light and cooler temperatures.
- Bring water and shade—this is desert territory with no facilities nearby.
- As you walk across, take a moment to imagine the rattling of Model Ts and the rumble of early road warriors traversing this rare steel bridge.
This brief pit‑stop reminder blends tangible history with thoughtful travel — perfect for readers passing through Sanders on their Route 66 journey.
