Ash Avenue Bridge

North of downtown Tempe, right on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake, a landmarked fragment recalls the historic Ash Avenue Bridge. Originally built of reinforced concrete beginning in 1911, it was once the first reliable road link between Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Of its original eleven arches, only the southern abutment survives today; it was stabilized and restored in 1991 after the rest of the structure was demolished. You can reach the remnant via an accessible path and also see a war memorial honoring a U.S. soldier from World War II. The ruin sits in a picturesque spot in Tempe Beach Park and offers a quiet contrast to the lively surroundings of the dammed Salt River.