Page 142 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

Among the great bridge building firms of America, the King Iron Bridge & Manufactur-
ing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. stands confessedly the first; and Houston in being their head-
quarters for Texas. possesses an element which adds largely to her prestige. The company
have constructed some of the finest bridges in the world, scattered throughout every state In
the Union, and are so well known, that any notice at our hands would seem superfluous; but
for the information of those who are
unacquainted with the importance of
their bridge building operations In
Texas, we write this sketch. 'rho
King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing
Company was organized in 1858, and
has at present a- paid-in capital of
$225,000. Its success and reputation
as the greatest bridge building firm
in the world, are evidence In
themselves of the efficiency of Its
management. As our work relates
entirely to Texas, and more part
icularly to Houston, we will give In de-
tail the bridges constructed by them
in this State. First, and foremost, In
the magnificent high truss bridge et
Austin (as here illustrated), having an extreme length of 910 feet, and constituting by far t he
fngnest specimen of bridge architecture south of St. Louis. Next comes the long list which we
append, and from which it will be easily seen that a majority of the bridges in this State have
been erected by this company: Austin County, Bell County, Bexar County, Brown County,
Colorado County, Coryell County, Dallas County, Denton County, Falls County. Fort Bend
County, Gonzales County. Guadalupe County, Gregg County, Grimes and Washington
Counties; G. C. & S. F. R'y, comb.; Hamilton County, Harris County. Hood County, Ii., K.
and W. T. R'y; Karnes County, Mitchell County, Navarro County, Rockwall County, Tarrant
County, Travis County, T. W. R'y, comb.; Victoria County. When we consider that scarce-
ly one-tenth of the resources of Texas have been developed, and that she possesses hundreds
of streams and passes yet unbridged, and the bridging which will in a few years be an Onto-
lute necessity, even the most inexperienced will acknowledge that this branch of the King
Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company has a future before it as promising as the most
exacting would desire. Messrs. Oliver and Alexander are both gentlemen well known In and
out of business circles, and in their hands the interests of the Company are vigorously urged.
With the present favorable outlook, there is no practical limit to their future extension.

This firm was organized in March, 1885, and from its inception has been a success. and
now occupies a prominent position among the leading firms of the State. They are prepared
to make contracts for fencing in any part of the State, also Iron Roofing. Iron Is now con-
sidered to be the best material for building purposes on account of its strength and neatness,
and the firm of R. P. Smith & Co., will take contracts to furnish the iron for any buildings at
the lowest prices. We heartily recommend them to our readers as reliable and trustworthy
gentlemen of the strictest integrity, and those contemplating building will consult their own
interests by corresponding with this firm.