As early as 1891, there was a bridge across the bayou at Sabine Street that connected the Sixth Ward with the Fourth Ward. This initial crossing appears to have been more of a foot bridge than a main thoroughfare since its location seemed to indicate a crossing at the end of Heiner Street on the south which simply extended across the bayou to an area near the end of Sabine Street on the north. However, the subsequent development of both the Sixth Ward and the south bank of Buffalo Bayou along Heiner Street led to the construction of a primary roadway spanning the bayou in 1924.
In the early 1920's the City Council passed a bond issue for the improvement the city's streets and bayou crossings. Included in this program were new bridges at Shepherd's Dam, Heights Boulevard and Sabine Street.
The Sabine Street bridge, completed in 1924, was designed by W. W. Washburn, the City bridge engineer, and his work was strongly influenced by the City Beautiful movement which is evident in the design of the bridge and the use of neoclassical ornamentation and railing. The bridge is 240 feet long with two lanes of traffic on forty foot roadways which are flanked on each side by wide cantilevered sidewalks. It spans the bayou on six reinforced concrete girder and floorbeam units which are erected over four-column bents and abutments. Its special design, its railing and the artistic use of ornamentation make the Sabine Street bridge architecturally significant. In addition, it is the sole surviving concrete bridge constructed under the 1920's civic improvement program.
Improvements were made to the Sabine Street bridge in 1987 to restore the bridge to its original splendor after decades of neglect. At that time, minor changes were made to the roadway which was narrowed in order to expand the size of the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. In the renovations of 2006, the bridge is portrayed as a gateway to recreation on Buffalo Bayou. Stairways at each corner of the bridge provide access to the foot paths near the bayou through arched portals capped with stylized stainless steel canoes. With the inclusion of the bridge in the Promenade, this historic structure can assume a place of prominence as one of the hidden jewels of Houston.
Photos by Linda Gorski.