The Bala Stone Bridge is one of those hidden treasures of Riley County that few know about.

The city of Bala was created by members of the Welsh Land and Immigration Society, who arrived in 1870 and purchased land from the Kansas Pacific Railroad. Their first settlement was Powys, named for a town in Wales. Due to water problems they moved two miles west and renamed their settlement Bala. A post office was established in 1871. The Rock Island Railroad came in 1887, established a new town, Bala City, 1 1/2 miles southwest of Bala. When Fort Riley expanded to the edge of town in the 1960's, the village died out, leaving the Presbyterian Church, built in 1890, which still stands today. Now, little is left in the town of Bala but a few houses.

The bridge, built in 1887 with the railroad, stands a reminder to the thriving society that once occupied the area. The bridge, standing at about 30 feet from the keystone to the water, is considered one of the largest in Kansas. A small park has also been built to the north of the bridge to highlight its beauty, and give visitors a place to rest and enjoy the beautiful area.

There are remarkable places in Kansas, and there are remarkable people in Kansas, and once in a while, in the same place you have both. Such is the case here. While so many jealously guard their property, Frank Williams, now since past, choose to make this little part of his farm not only accessible, but at no small expense to himself, he graveled the road to the park, trimmed trees, built a grill and provided picnic tables, all free and open to the public. The Williams' family continues to maintain the small park, which is in some ways a memorial to its creator and certainly a worthwhile place to visit.

Since this area is private property, and the Williams' family has been so gracious to grant us permission, I ask that you be as respectful to the property as possible. The geocache is hidden on the south side of the rail bed. The Fort Riley Reservation begins about 30 feet south of the last stone in the bridge work, and although the owner has never had a problem with the reservation, it is best to stay on the public side of the property line. Signs can be seen that mark the property line. The area in which the cache is hidden is next to a steep slope, and can be difficult if the area is muddy. The area is also susceptible to flooding, so please put the cache back in place as best a possible to prevent it from floating away. The easiest entrance to the bridge is from the parking coordinates listed, where the rail bed reaches the road to the east of the geocache. Do not drive into the reservation at the end of that road.

Please be respectful, and remember to bring a camera!