Red River Bridge War facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red River Bridge War |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Oklahoma |
 Texas |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 William Murray Robert Burns |
 Ross Sterling Edgar Witt |
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| Strength | |||||||
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Oklahoma National Guard
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Texas Military Forces
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | 1 toll bridge destroyed | ||||||
The Red River Bridge War was a disagreement between the states of Oklahoma and Texas. It was all about a bridge over the Red River. One bridge charged money to cross (a toll bridge), and a new one was built to be free. This conflict happened in 1931.
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What Was the Red River Bridge War?
The Red River Bridge War was a dispute between two U.S. states. It involved the governors and state guards from both sides. The main issue was whether people should pay to cross a bridge or use a new one for free.
Why Did the Conflict Start?
Before 1931, a company called the Red River Bridge Company owned a bridge. This bridge connected Colbert, Oklahoma, and Denison, Texas. People had to pay a fee, called a toll, to cross it. This bridge was part of major roads, U.S. Route 69 and U.S. Route 75.
In 1931, the states of Texas and Oklahoma worked together. They built a brand new bridge nearby. This new bridge was meant to be free for everyone to use.
The Red River Bridge Company did not want the new free bridge to open. They went to court and got a special order, called an injunction. This order stopped the Texas Highway Commission from opening the new bridge. The company claimed the commission had promised to buy their old toll bridge.
Because of this court order, the Governor of Texas, Ross S. Sterling, acted. He ordered that the Texas side of the new free bridge be blocked off.
Governors Take Action
On July 17, 1931, Oklahoma Governor "Alfalfa Bill" Murray stepped in. He ordered the new bridge to be opened. Governor Murray believed the land on both sides of the river belonged to Oklahoma. He sent road crews to remove the blocks on the new bridge.
Governor Sterling of Texas then sent his own officials to the bridge. They rebuilt the barricade on the Texas side. The next day, Oklahoma crews, following Governor Murray's orders, damaged the Oklahoma entrance to the old toll bridge. This made the old bridge impossible to use.
The Texas State Legislature held a special meeting. They wanted to allow the bridge company to sue the state. Many people in nearby towns wanted the free bridge to open.
On July 24, Governor Murray declared martial law at the bridge site. This meant the military, the Oklahoma National Guard, took control. Governor Murray himself came to the bridge, carrying a revolver. He told the guardsmen to let anyone cross either bridge.
The Free Bridge Opens!
On July 27, Governor Murray learned the free bridge might be closed for good. He expanded the martial law area. Oklahoma guardsmen were placed on both sides of the new free bridge.
The court order stopping the bridge opening was finally removed. The martial law order was also ended on August 6.
The free bridge, which caused all the trouble, officially opened on Labor Day, September 7, 1931. This bridge was used for many years. In 1995, a new bridge replaced it. A part of the old free bridge was saved. It was moved to a park in Colbert, Oklahoma, as a historical landmark.
