Evening star., 1943-03-21
Greet Natural
Bridges
BIZ Frederic J. Hcskfn.

Among the works OF nature which nave
instilled awe into mankind are the great
natural bridges, nearly all OF which are
found in the United States. There is a
massiveness about them which is i'm
pressiye in itself, but, in addition, they
have always arrested attention because
of the impression that, in this instance,
nature has sought to initiate human
works.
The great natural bridges Of the
United States probably are the only really
notable ones in the world. That others
may be found seems not improbable mas
much as the Rainbow Bridge in Utah.
which is the largest known natural
bridge in the world, was not discovered
until october 7. 1908. II this wonder
could have escaped the eyes Of white
men so long, it is not unlikely that the
wastes of Africa, Asia and in particular.
Western Australia, may yet reveal even
greater marvels.
William B. Douglass, q surveyor of the
General Land Office, was told by Piute
Indian Of the existence of the Rainbow
Bridge. Mr. Douglass Immediately tried
to reach the bridge, but failed. In August
Of the following year, accompanied by
assistants, he succeeded in finding it.
The next year the United States took 1t
over and declared it national monu-
ment.
Rainbow Bridge is not so properly
bridge as the other famous ones Rather
1t is an arch, for it cannot be crossed
from one side of the arroyo 1t spans to
the other One side continues to curve,
the supporting pier coming nearly down
to the same level on the outside of the
arch. From the bed of the stream which
flows beneath to the under side of the
arch is height Of 3O9 feet. At the base,
the inside measurement from pier to
pier is 278 feet. Some comprehension Of
the tremendous size of the arch can be
had when it is stated that the central
portion of the United States Capitol
could be placed under the bridge without
the dome touching the under side Of
the arch.
AS the discoverers were admiring the
structure and wondering what to name it,
rainbow appeared in the sky and the
suggestion was promptly taken. The
name Rainbow Bridge Is suitable, more
over, because the bridge it of salmon-
colored sandstone and takes on various
colors as the light changes.
If re i,o
few people have seen Rainbow Bridge as
compared with the number of visitors to
other natural wonders in the West. The
nearest automobile approach through
the rugged country must still be followed
| by trek by pack train.
| Although by far the largest natural
bridge known, it is not nearly so famous
as the Natural Bridge in Virginia.
This structure not only is famous
| in the United States, but is known
| throughout the world 1t stands in
Rockbridge County, forming natural
| span across Cedar Creek The top makes
crossing from one side of the gorge
through which a stream flows, to the
other with an incline of only 20 feet.
The width of the bridge on top varies
from so to $50 feet. From the stream to
the under side of the arch Is distance
of 238 feet, but the distance spanned Is
in no place more than 80 feet.
One reason why Natural Bridge is more
! famous than all others is that 1t has
been known SO much longer. The first
settlers were told about it by the Indians.
A royal grant dated July 5, 1774, con-
| veyed the land on which the bridge
stands to Thomas Jefferson. In the text
| of the grant it is stated that the tract
| is decided, including the Natural Bridge
| on Cedar Creek" It is interesting to note
| that the Natural Bridge remained a part
| of the estate of Thomas jefferson as late
as 1888.
Utah seems to have almost monopoly
on natural bridges. Besides Rainbow
Bridge there are three others of notable
proportions, The largest of these is the
| Sipapu, which, in the Hopi Indian Ian
| guage, means portal of life. 1t is the
belief of the Hopis that all men come into
life on this planet through portal.
marking the place of great hole in
the earth. At death they return through
this portal and into the ground whence
later they are translated to the sky to
become rain gods. This bridge is 222 feet
high from the stream bed to the under
side of the arch. 1t is 128 feet wide and
IS feet thick at the thickest part.
Another is the Kachina Bridge, named
from the symbol carved upon it by the
Hopis in early times The Kachina are
the sacred dancers of the Hopi Indians,
and it is probable that the bridge was the
dancing floor for ceremonials. 1t has a
span of l85 feet and rises 205 feet above
the stream bed. 1t is 40 feet wide and
the distance from the under to the
upper side of the arch is 107 feet, making
1t the most massive of these three ma
tural structures.
The third bridge is the most curious in
workmanship, If natural erosion can be
so called 1t is the Owanchomo Bridge
and is the smallest of the three. Its span
Is 1874 feet, it rises 108 feet above the
stream bed and is 35 feet wide on TOP.
The notable thing about it is that the
thickness from the under to the upper
side of the arch narroWs to only 10 feet,
This unusually thin bridge has a
strangely delicate appearance anG is
practically level. Lesser natural bridges
on Government reservations are those at
Bryce Canyon National Monument and
at Zion National Park, both in Utah.