Oregon Covered Bridges Part 1
Come and check out the covered bridges in Oregon. This is a two part post because of the amount of covered bridges in Oregon. It's impossible to do this in a day and a long three day weekend is needed because you have some on the Oregon coast and one on the eastern side of the cascades. If you want to do this road trip here is a map with the location of all of the covered bridges:
Cedar Crossing Bridge is a covered bridge in southeast Portland that was built in 1982. It carries Deardorff Road over Johnson Creek. The Oregon Department of Transportation notes that the bridge, even though it is covered, is "not a true covered bridge" because it does not use a timber truss for support. This bridge is also known as Johnson Creek Bridge. The bridge was built in 1982 and is 60 feet long.
The interior of the bridge is finished with knotty pine, and a five-foot walkway separates the pedestrian and bicycle traffic from the 24-foot roadway. Five large windows on each side provide light, ventilation and a place to look at the water below.
Stayon-Jordan Covered Bridge. The original Jordan Covered Bridge was built in 1937. It was dismantled in 1985 and stored in Stayton. The Jordan bridge burned in December of 1994 and the community understood the importance of the covered bridge so they ensured it was rebuilt. They completed their work in September of 1998. In 2023, Stayton-Jordan is a pedestrian bridge in the heart of Stayton, Oregon. The bridge is 90 feet long
Dahlenburg Covered Bridge. This covered foot bridge was built in 1989 as a Sweet Home High School Shop project. It is located in Sankey Park, in Sweet Home Oregon, near Weddle Bridge. It spans Ames Creek. The bridge is approximately 50 feet long and the town of Sweet Home is thinking of moving the bridge due to the amount of vandalism.
Weddle Covered Bridge was built in 1937 and carried traffic over Thomas Creek for 43 years until being by-passed in 1980 by a concrete bridge downstream. The deteriorated bridge eventually became a safety issue, and the bridge was scheduled to be demolished. The structure was moved to Ames Creek in 1989 and the Weddle Bridge restoration became a big success. In addition to the historic value, the bridge is the site for weddings and community events. The bridge was temporarily closed in 2005 after an engineering inspection determined that repairs were necessary to the 120 foot bridge.
Short Covered Bridge spans the South Santiam River 12 miles east of Sweet Home, Oregon, near the community of Cascadia. The 105-foot bridge was built in 1945. When the wooden-housed structure was built, the bridge was known more commonly as the Whiskey Butte Bridge but was renamed for a long-time area resident, Gordon Short, a long-time area resident.
Chitwood Bridge and not much activity occurs at Chitwood anymore. The Chitwood Bridge was once surrounded by several stores, a post office, a telephone office, and several houses. The boarded up remains of the Smith store nearby is a dim reminder of the vitality the community once had. It is now considered a Ghost Town. Lincoln County built the covered bridge in 1926. Scheduled for demolition, it was instead improved in 1984 through a federally funded restoration project and the work had been completed on the roofing, flooring, siding.
In 2014 the 96 foot long bridge had another restoration which included a new roof and siding materials, repair to truss members and a fresh coat of red paint.
Ritner Creek Covered Bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1927 by Hamer and Curry Contractors to Oregon State Highway Commission plans. The original portal design was rounded at the edges but was changed to a square design in the early 1960s to accommodate larger loads to pass. In 1976, the bridge was lifted from its foundation and relocated just downstream of its original site and replaced by a concrete bridge. The 73-foot-long bridge was named for pioneer Sebastian Ritner, who arrived in the area in 1845.
Harris Covered Bridge build date cannot be verified. Although Benton County records show 1936 as the construction date, some locals claim the span may have been built in 1929. Harris Bridge was named for George Harris, an early settler. The original town was known as Elam, for Mrs. Gladys Elam, but the name of the community was later changed to Harris. The bridge is 75 feet long.
Irish Bend Covered Bridge is located on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis and is also referred to as the Oak Creek Bridge. The bridge was built using a standard design dating back to the 1920s. Following its construction in 1954, the bridge provided access across the Willamette Slough on Irish Bend Road, approximately 15 miles south of Corvallis. The bridge may originally have been constructed over the Long Tom River about 30 miles to the south and later moved to the Irish Bend site, but research on this issue is not yet completed. Various plans had been proposed for the 60 foot bridge, including floating it downriver to be relocated to a new site.
Coyote Creek Bridge. Alternately known as Battle Creek Bridge and Swing Log Bridge. Coyote Creek Bridge is tucked deep in South Willamette Valley wine country and was built in 1922. Heavy snow collapsed the 60 foot long bridge's roof in 1969. The remaining roof rafters were sawed off to make the bridge usable until crews were able to re-roof it later that spring.
Drift Creek Covered Bridge is 66 feet long and built in 1914. The community surrounding the bridge site was known as Lutgens, and in 1917, the name was changed to Nice. In all, at least eight name changes occurred in this community prior to the closing of the post office in 1919. In early 1988, Lincoln County officials had to close the Drift Creek Bridge to pedestrian traffic due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge. Excessive rot and insect damage had weakened the bridge to a dangerous level. Steel beams were installed inside the bridge to keep it from falling into the water.
The area around the bridge was excavated in an effort to isolate the structure and limit access. This bridge was dismantled in late 1997. The County gave the timbers to the Sweitz family who owned land only eight miles to the north of the original site. Laura and Kerry Sweitz had envisioned the house being rebuilt over their concrete bridge that provides access to their property across Bear Creek. In the pioneer spirit that this bridge represents and through hardship and strife, their monumental efforts resulted in the resurrection of the bridge which now stands in a small, beautiful park-like setting.
Centennial Bridge is 84 feet long and is a 3/8 scale model of the famous Chambers Railroad Covered Bridge located nearby. This pedestrian footbridge was built by volunteers to commemorate Cottage Grove's 100th birthday and the historic town's status as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the West." Old timbers from two demolished covered bridges — the Brumbaugh and Meadows bridges — comprise the 1987 Centennial Covered Bridge. Located at the corner of Main St and River Rd in downtown Cottage Grove, the bridge connects Cottage Grove's historic downtown district with the Applegate Trail Interpretive Center and a Veterans Memorial. It is an excellent starting point for a self-guided tour of the town's six bridges.
Chambers Railroad Bridge is the only remaining covered railroad bridge in Oregon. It is believed to be the only remaining covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi River. The bridge was constructed in 1925 by lumberman J.H. Chambers to transport logs across the Coast Fork Willamette River to his sawmill on the east side of the bridge. The bridge was in operation from 1925 to 1951. In the 1950's the railroad was sold for scrap and the bridge was no longer used. The bridge was in private ownership until December 2006, when the City of Cottage Grove finally secured full ownership of the bridge.
While in private ownership, no maintenance was performed and significant damage and decay occurred to the bridge. The only reason the bridge remained standing was because it was constructed using oversized timbers to support the heavy loads of the steam locomotives and railcars loaded with logs. The oversized materials used in the original construction of the bridge added significant cost to the restoration efforts.
In addition to acquiring the bridge the City pursued the ownership of property on the east end of the bridge. As a result, sufficient property on the east end has been donated to the City for access and development of a park. Coupled with the City’s ownership of the land on the west end of the bridge full access and use of the bridge was secured. The bridge was restored to serve as an additional pedestrian and bicycle crossing on the Coast Fork Willamette River.
The mill property is now being developed as a housing development called Riverwalk and the bridge is 78 feet long.
Stewart Covered Bridge was built in 1930, is 60 feet long, and has seen better days. Heavy rains of the 1964 "Christmas Flood" brought water raging down Mosby Creek with the resulting force cracking the lower chords of the bridge. Just over four years later, a heavy snowstorm dropped more than three feet of snow on most of the Willamette Valley. The roof bracing gave way under the weight of the snow, and the entire roof caved in.
Repairs to the bridge once again made it usable, and it carried a 20-ton limit until it was bypassed in the mid-1980s by a concrete bridge. The Stewart Bridge was officially taken out of commission in 1987, with one of the approaches removed, fumigation of timbers, and installation of a wire fence inside a portal for safety of pedestrians.
Currin Bridge is 105 feet long and was built in 1925 to replace another bridge built in 1883 and is now closed to cars. The new bridge runs parallel to the old bridge just a few feet apart.
In 1970, the covered bridge was bypassed by a newly constructed concrete bridge, and subsequently closed to traffic. In the 1980s, preservation efforts included fumigation, removing an approach and screening off the remaining entrance and in 1995 the bridge was reopened to pedestrians. The Currin Bridge is the only bridge in Oregon that is painted two different colors. The Currin Bridge has white portals and red sides.
Mosby Creek Covered Bridge sometimes called Layng Bridge. It was built in 1920 and closed in 1979 and is 90 feet long. In 1990 the bridge was capped with a corrugated metal roof. In 2002 the roof was replaced with synthetic roofing material, and other repairs were made at the same time.
The bridge was named after the pioneer David Mosby. He settled east of present-day Cottage Grove near the current site of the bridge and the bridge is currently open to traffic with an eight ton limit.
Mosby Creek Bridge is adjacent the primary trail head for Row River Trail. This is also the best access to the Mosby Creek Bridge which is adjacent to the primary trail head for Row River Trail. This is also the best access to the orange railroad bridge seen in the beginning of the 1985 movie "Stand by Me." seen in the beginning of the 1985 movie "Stand by Me." See picture below.
Pengra Covered Bridge also know as Fall Creek Bridge is 120 feet long. The Pengra Bridge replaced a 192-foot bridge built in 1904 which had been only a few feet upstream from the present structure. The effect of weather and increased traffic caused the county to close the bridge in 1979. County officials had planned to reopen the structure, but readying a contract for work was delayed for several years. The bridge was repaired and re-opened to traffic by the county in 1995 with the help of a grant from the Oregon Covered Bridge Program.
Pengra was a station on the Cascade Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad and was named for B. J. Pengra, a pioneer who became general surveyor of Oregon in 1862.
Dorena Bridge is also known as Star Bridge. To cross Row River, Dorena Bridge was added as part of the reservoir plan in 1949. The filled reservoir covers the former town site named for area residents Dora Burnette and Rena Martin using a combination of both their first names. The community of 450 people was relocated 5 miles upriver. Approximately a hundred homes and the rail road were dismantled or moved. There does not appear to be any remaining signs of the town, even when the water is drawn down in winter.
The bridge was bypassed by a concrete bridge in 1974 and fell into disuse. In 1987. In 1996 the bridge's substructure and spans were replaced and the array of windows were installed to facilitate ventilation. The bridge is 105 feet long and if you drive through the bridge you will see a little parking lot where is safe to park and get out to take your pictures.
Unity Covered Bridge also known as Fall Creek Bridge is 90 feet long and is open to single lane traffic. Covered bridge builder Nels Roney built the first bridge across Fall Creek in 1890. A second nearby covered bridge was build in 1936 and this is today's Unity Covered Bridge. The first bridge then became a pedestrian bridge only and was later removed in 1953.
Unity Covered Bridge was closed for repairs in 1986. The flooring was replaced and piers and guardrails repaired. New exterior paint covered up graffiti and the roof was replaced in 2014. The bridge sits at a cross roads so be careful when you try and leave. I loved the full length window flanking the east wall
Office Bridge is also called Westfir Covered Bridge is an impressive 180 feet long. The Office Bridge is bright red and features a separate pedestrian walkway alongside its high-roofed, one-lane crossing. It is also the longest covered bridge in Oregon.
The Westfir community started as a company town belonging to the Westfir Lumber Company. Other smaller mills had previously operated in the vicinity and a bridge already spanned the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River where the mill pond was located. High waters washed out the original bridge, so a second was built in 1941 to provide access from the mill to the Westfir Lumber Company's administrative offices. This bridge lasted only four years before a storm took it out too. The third built in 1944 and current bridge was built higher to avoid storm waters and was designed to handle the size and load of logging trucks. It is the only bridge in Oregon with a separate pedestrian walk way. Windows provide excellent views of the river.
The lumber mill burned to the ground in the early 1980s and the bridge remained closed until 1992. It was refurbished in 1993 and then again in 2002 with a new roof. At the North end of the bridge is a parking lot and the location of North Fork Trail.
Cannon Street Covered Bridge is the smallest covered bridge in the region. It is a pedestrian bridge that covers a little ditch. Built in 1988 and right in the middle of Lowell Oregon, this community heritage park showcases mementos of the railroads era. Details include a pathway designed to look like railroad tracks. The park includes restrooms, a picnic shelter and a variety of interactive structures for children's play including a 1929 caboose. The bridge is only 20 feet long.
Parvin Bridge also known as Lost Creek Bridge, is a little off the beaten path and is 75 feet long. Originally a 66-foot bridge that spanned Lost Creek, a tributary of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River near the 1880s homestead of early pioneer settlers James and Salina Parvin.
In 1917, the first Parvin Bridge failed an inspection when significant worm damage and decay was noted. In 1921, George Breeding constructed an entirely new single lane bridge and this became today's Parvin Bridge. The new bridge was bypassed in the 1970s when the road was realigned. For years it was only accessible to pedestrians. However, a renewed interest in Oregon's covered bridges prompted Lane County to renovate and reopen the bridge to vehicular traffic in 1986. In 1996 a renovation project started and included a new roof, replaced some supports, added new bridge rails, siding and paint. The bridge was raised an additional foot for increased clearance from river debris.
Crawfordsville Bridge was built in 1932 and is 105 feet long. The area of Crawfordsville was named for Philemon Crawford, who settled in the area and on whose land the town was established in the 1870s. The bridge is unique because it has a narrow slit window on both sides of the structure.
In 1963, the bridge was bypassed and very little upkeep or repair occurred until 1976. In 1976, crews involved with the filming of the television movie, "The Flood", painted the bridge, and local residents repainted some of the bridge’s interior in the early 1980s.
In 1987 there were more renovations done on the bridge and in the flood of 1996, the bridge sustained severe damage from drift which tore through the side skirting and hit a floor beam. Several of the one-inch diameter tie rods were broken or bent, leaving only two upstream tie rods and one downstream supporting the floor beam. This was then repaired.
Lowell Covered Bridge is the widest covered bridge in Oregon and is also 165 feet long. It currently serves as an interpretive center on regional covered bridges, with four other covered bridges nearby. In 1907 the first Lowell Covered Bridge was built, replacing ferry service across the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Nels Roney built the bridge with a crew of eight men. In the 1940s a truck accident severely damaged the bridge knocking its truss out of alignment, so a new bridge had to be constructed.
The new bridge was completed by 1945. It was built to a maximum width of 24 feet, and the roof was added two years later. Then in 1953, with the impending construction of Dexter Dam, the bridge had to be raised an additional 6 feet to accommodate the forecasted water level increase. The dam was completed in 1955 and now when Dexter Reservoir is at capacity, the bridge clears the water by approximately 2 feet. In 1981 a new concrete bypass bridge was built and use of the covered bridge was discontinued. It was refurbished and reopened for pedestrian access in 2006 as the Lowell Covered Bridge Interpretive Center.
Earnest Bridge is sometimes called the Mohawk River Bridge is classic white covered bridge that served as a movie location in the 1960s. The movie was "Shenandoah" starring James Stewart. The film company altered the bridge to meld with a Civil War era look and, then post filming, restored it with new siding and paint.
The slightly longer Adams Bridge was first built here by A.N. Striker in 1903. Eventually dilapidated, it was torn down and replaced by Lane County in 1939. It is believed the new bridge was named Earnest after local area residents. Earnest Bridge features a small window on one side for motorists to view oncoming traffic. The 75 foot bridge despite its remote location is beautiful.
Larwood Bridge also know as Crabtree Creek Bridge was built in 1939, and sits on the confluence of Roaring River and Crabtree Creek. The Larwood community was named for William Larwood, who settled on the banks of Crabtree Creek and Roaring River in 1888. He platted the little town, built a store and blacksmith shop, and operated a post office from 1893 to 1903.
A prior covered bridge was built about this time over Crabtree Creek, and for a while, covered bridges spanned Roaring River and Crabtree Creek just a few feet apart. The town and old covered bridges are gone, but the rebuilt water powered mill (picture below) and the present covered bridge are reminders of the area's previous activities.
The bridge is 105 feet long and carries Fish Hatchery Road across and it is open to one-lane vehicle traffic. This made it a very well preserved with only one renovation. In 2002, the bridge was temporarily closed to repair the exposed diagonal timbers in the upstream truss. Water and insect damage had weakened the wooden pieces.
Wendling Covered Bridge is also known as Mill Creek Bridge and was built in 1938 and is 60 feet long. Wendling Bridge was named after George Wendling who was a director of the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company. The Wendling Bridge's interior was once plastered with circus posters pasted on its walls between truss members until time, moisture and visitors removed them. The bridge is hidden on the winding road northeast of Marcola.
Hoffman Covered Bridge is one of the six covered bridges on Covered Bridge Tour Route, Hoffman Covered Bridge was built in 1936 by Lee Hoffman and named in honor of its builder. Built with only hand tools, the 90 f00t bridge is accentuated by two Gothic-style windows on each side, an exposed roof trusses design, and a trapezoidal shaped portal.
It crosses Crabtree Creek while serving the traffic on Hungry Hill Drive. Crabtree Creek originates in the western foothills of the Cascades near Crabtree Mountain and heads west to the South Santiam River.
Shimanek Bridge was the first bridge built at this location is believed to have been constructed as early as 1861, while the first documented covered bridge was built in 1891. In 1904, the county rebuilt the bridge, only to have it washed out in 1921. Its replacement lasted until 1927, when high water damaged the piers and the bridge was replaced. Trees were blown against the fourth covered bridge at this site during the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. The resulting damage forced the county to restrict the covered bridge to a 2-ton load limit with single lane traffic. The bridge was destroyed soon after, and in 1966 the current Shimanek Bridge was completed, the fifth covered bridge to occupy this site.
In November 2015, the 130 foot bridge was closed for repairs after an inspection revealed "serious decay". The bridge was reopened in early 2023.
Gilkey Covered Bridge is 120 feet and was built in 1939 over Thomas Creek. Gilkey was a station on the Southern Pacific Railway line between Crabtree and Shelburn. The station, established in 1880, was named for Allen and William Gilkey. Allen Gilkey came to Oregon in the early 1850s and settled nearby.
The bridge was closed in 1997 because of damage caused by an overloaded vehicle. After all of the needed repairs were done and structural integrity and safety were ensure, the bridge was reopened in 1998. Just nine years later, the bridge was damaged again. Scot McKillop, an employee of Fisher Implements, left a service call at a nearby farm and was enroute to Albany when he started to cross the bridge. The hydraulic boom, which had been left extended, snapped power lines before it crashed into the bridge cover. The truck traveled three-quarters of the way across the bridge where it stopped, stuck sideways. There were no injuries, the truck was moved in about 5 hours, and the bridge lost about 50% of its load capacity. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2017
Hannah Bridge crosses Thomas Creek about 1.5 miles from Jordan Oregon. It is one of three remaining covered bridges along Thomas Creek; the others are the Shimanek Bridge and the Gilkey Bridge. Hannah Bridge. This 105 feet long bridge was constructed in 1936. It is named for John Joseph Hannah, a pioneer who arrived in Oregon in 1853. He build one of the first sawmills in the area.
The Silverton Creek Covered Pedestrian Bridge is a small pedestrian path, fashioned to resemble a covered bridge. It spans Silver Creek as it courses through downtown Silverton. Oddly enough, the bridge wasn’t designed to mimic the Gallon House Bridge nearby, but it’s still a scenic stop and is wholly worthy of a selfie.
Gallon House Bridge is a wooden covered bridge spanning Abiqua Creek and was built in 1916. The 84 feet bridge derived its name during prohibition when it was a meeting place for bootleggers and moonshiners. Operators at a liquor dispensary nearby sold "white lightening" whiskey by the gallon to Silverton residents. At the time, Silverton was "dry," not allowing liquor to be sold in town, while Mt. Angel was "wet." They would meet at the north end of the bridge.
The bridge was swept off its footings in the December 1964 flood, but was restored immediately after. Then in 1985, the old wooden structure was closed to all traffic when a damaged chord rendered it useless. County road crews repaired the bridge to accept traffic up to a 10-ton limit by reinforcing a lower chord, as well as making repairs to the beams and flooring. In 1990, because of poor structural condition, the bridge was rehabilitated to mint condition and the hinged portals were removed.
Because there are so many covered bridges in Oregon this will be a two part post. Most covered bridges in Oregon were built between 1905 and 1925. At its peak, there were an estimated 450 covered bridges, which by 1977, had dwindled to 56. As of 2021, there were only 49 remaining. Lane County has more covered bridges than any other county west of the Mississippi River.
The number 49 is up for debate because there are some sources that say there are 50 and others state 54. No matter how many there really are it's nice to go out and see them and learn about the history behind each one.
Comments