Iron Icons: The Story of the I-10 Bridge Pistols

Every time I drive across the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, my eyes can’t help but catch those iconic crossed pistols lining the railing. They’re more than decoration, they’re a link to a history full of swashbuckling tales and frontier grit. With talks of a new bridge replacing the old, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet tug at my heart, knowing we’ll one day lose these legendary cast-iron pieces.

Designer N.E. Lant, the creative mind behind the bridge, didn’t just toss these pistols on as a whim. In 1952, he envisioned the 5,286 pairs of crossed pistols as a homage to Louisiana’s pirate history and the legends of Jean Lafitte, the rogue who became a folk hero. Cast by the John Lester Boone Foundry in Lawtell, Louisiana, these pistols quickly became the bridge’s signature feature.

Time, however, hasn’t been kind. Over the years, between 50 and 60 pairs of pistols have gone missing or been damaged. Why? Well, rumor has it that people used to walk up the bridge’s narrow sidewalks at night, chipping out pistols to take home as souvenirs. They loved them so much that the state had to recast and replace the ornaments in the 1980s and 2000s just to keep the railings from collapsing! Talk about dedication to your mantelpiece decor.

Despite these efforts, the pistols’ charm endures. Each pair tells a story, not just of pirates and outlaws, but of a community that holds tight to its unique identity. And though a new bridge will soon rise, plans are in place to restore and preserve the pistols for future generations.

Driving across the I-10 bridge has always felt like stepping back in time, connecting to a Louisiana that embraced its quirks and history. As the old bridge prepares to take its final bow, I hope the pistols find a place in the hearts and homes of those who’ve admired them, and maybe even a museum or two. They’re not just ornaments; they’re a piece of who we are.