First built in 1861, the 546 foot long bridge was rebuilt in 1889 by engineer T.H. Barnes who had built New Birmingham, Texas. The bridge had been restored in the late 1960s - on plans left by Barnes. The Rusk Footbridge is believed to be the longest footbridge in the nation at 546 feet. It is located in Rusk, TX, just off the Courthouse square. It is a beautiful point of interest. During the town's early years, before streets connected a residential area with the downtown business district, the bridge served as a means to cross  a small valley when the creek flooded.