Bridge, buffalo centennial celebration planned

In 1916, a suspension bridge was built across the Bighorn River in Hot Springs State Park. Commonly referred to as “The Swinging Bridge,” it will get a new look for the evening hours in celebration of its 100 years.

Park Superintendent Kevin Skates said the Kiwanis discussed the idea of putting lights on the bridge, and partnered with the Hot Springs County Historical Society, park staff and the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce to turn the idea into reality.

Skates said the lights, which will be turned on for the first time June 15, would include floodlights on the high beams at either end of the bridge. While rope lights on the cables were considered, Skates noted maintenance and vandalism on such a setup would be an issue.

Since the park closes at 10 p.m., the lights will be on some kind of timer. Park staff will be in charge of maintenance for the system.

2016 also marks the centennial for the park bison herd, and Skates noted another project is in the works to get some silhouettes of the animals set up, with lights that shine on them at night.

Skates noted staff is always working to make changes in the park, do something different and add to the park’s curb appeal.

The lighting is part of the June 15 re-dedication of the bridge. Though a definite schedule for the day’s events is still in the works, Pioneer Association President Ray Shaffer noted there is likely to be a few speeches, and they are working on providing some video from John Rankine, of the original building of the bridge.

The Pioneer Association is also working on a book detailing the bridge’s history. Shaffer said the Association had some money available that was initially planned for some signage on the bridge. However, the State Park is handling that matter so the book became the primary project for the funds. There has never before been a book written specifically about the bridge, Shaffer noted.

Carol Ann Barham, vice president of the Pioneer Association, has been collaborating with Dorothy Milek for the past year, compiling information about the bridge. Shaffer added Milek has a lifetime of historical information and is a great resource in this project.

Helping to turn the information into book form, along with Shaffer, Barham and Milek, are Association Treasurer Bonnie Lou Bauer, Secretary Charlene White, Mabel Jones and Kevin Skates with the State Park, Hot Springs County Museum Chair Doris Ann Ready — who also sits ex-officio on the Pioneer Association Board — and Shaffer’s wife Carol, who has been helping with ideas.

Though the initial goal was to have the book ready by the June 15 re-dedication, Shaffer said the Association decided to wait, to be able to include the event in the pages.

The book has been a good community effort at this point, Shaffer said, and he hopes it will be a good representation of everything everyone has put into the bridge. At this point, only three copies are planned, to be available at the State Park, the library and Hot Springs County Museum. If there is enough interest in it, additional copies will be printed.