History of the Old Red Bridge!*
The Red Bridge neighborhood was named after the ‘Red Bridge’ which is located on Red Bridge Road just east of Holmes.In 1859, the first bridge was built by Colonel George N. Todd, a 50-year old Scottish stonemason. The 100-foot span covered wooden bridge on stone piers was located just downstream from today’s bridges at the actual trail crossing. It was painted red, hence the origin of “Red Bridge.”
The original bridge was torn down in 1892 and a steel bridge, called a “tin” bridge, also painted red replaced it. The 1859 bridge was dismantled and the wood recycled into barns by local farmers.
A third and current Old Red Bridge replaced the 1892 “tin” bridge and was dedicated by Harry S. Truman (when he was a judge) in 1932 during the Great Depression. The bridge is made of concrete, steel and red granite. It was built by Jackson County; Richard Wakefield was the architect.
When the new Red Bridge was opened, the Old Red Bridge was re-purposed as the Love Locks Bridge. More than 6,000 locks have been placed on the bridge since opening in February of 2013.
Through the years this area has flourished and grown to what you see today. The subdivision has grown to over eight hundred residential homes along with a shopping center, several convenience stores, a beautiful park, golf course, restaurants, a library and even a children's museum, making Red Bridge one of Kansas City's most desirable family communities.
* Source: KCParks.org