In 1923, no permanent public Missouri River crossings existed in South Dakota. But in March that year, the South Dakota Legislature adopted a bill to change that.

The Deadwood Daily Telegram reported on March 2, 1923, the legislation provided funding for five state bridges to be built across the Missouri River.  

The South Dakota State Historical Society noted it was a rare event in state politics to have lawmakers from east river and west river united.  

A special bridge tax was to be dolled out as projects were completed, starting first with the Gregory County Wheeler bridge, followed by the Pierre, Chamberlain, Mobridge and, finally, Forest City bridges.