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Rainbow Arch
Bridge
On the
National
Register of Historic Places, this bridge has become
the symbol of Cotter. Designed by the Marsh Engineering Company
and built by Bateman Contracting Company, the bridge is of the
type known as a Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge.
*©
 *©
The reinforced-concrete rainbow arch design was patented by
James Marsh in 1912. Named decades later after the County Judge
(R. M. Ruthven) who managed to obtain it, the span was a major
factor in the development of transportation in north-central
Arkansas.
 The dedication of the new bridge in
1930 was an occasion still remembered by everyone who
was over five years old on that day. The two-day celebration
on the 11th and 12th of November saw Betty Ruthven, Judge
Ruthven's daughter, reign as Queen at the ceremony. *©
"I christen
the bridge 'Progress' and dedicate it to 'Service.'"
 *©
*Photographs on this page are
©by
Bill Jennings, former Cotter Mayor.
All rights reserved.
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