Covered Bridges

Location:
From Eugene, travel west to Mapleton on Highway 126. Continue northeast on Highway 36 through Swisshome 12 miles to Deadwood (or southwest from Junction City). Turn north on Lower Deadwood Road. Follow Lower Deadwood Road approximately 5 miles and turn right on Deadwood Loop Road. Deadwood Creek is on Deadwood Loop Road at Mile Point 0.3

Background:
Once considered one of Oregon's most dilapidated covered bridges, the Deadwood Bridge is now among the state's finest refurbished roofed spans.

Location:
From Lincoln City head north on Hwy. 101 to Hwy. 18. Travel east on Hwy. 18 to milepost 3.96. Exit Hwy. 18 and travel south on Bear Creek Road 0.9 mile. The bridge is located on the left.

Background:
The Drift Creek Bridge has a long history. Originally built south of Lincoln City only 1.5 miles from the coast, the bridge was considered the oldest remaining covered bridge in Oregon.

Location:
From I-5 take Highway 58 east to Parkway Road. Follow Parkway Road north to the community of Jasper. Turn southeast on Jasper-Lowell Road for about 3 miles. Turn left (east) on Little Falls Creek Road and travel 1/4 mile to Place Road.

Background:
The Pengra Bridge contains two of the longest timbers ever cut for a bridge in Oregon. The timbers for the lower chords, 16" x 18" x 126 feet, were cut by the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company east of Springfield.

Location:
From Interstate 5 exit Highway 58 and travel east to the town of Lowell. Turn left at the Lowell Covered Bridge and continue north through Lowell on County Road 6220 (Lowell-Unity Road) for two miles to Unity.

Background:
In 1890, the first bridge across Fall Creek was constructed by Nels Roney. That 129-foot Howe structure cost Lane County $2,925.

Location:
From Interstate 5, take the Corvallis exit (228) west 38 miles through Philomath on US 20. Follow Highway 34 southwest through Alsea and continue 20 miles west to the Five Rivers-Fisher Road (Forest Service Road 141). Turn south at the fork at Siletz Road. Continue left past Buck Creek Road about one mile to the bridge. Alternately from Yachats, travel east on Forest Service Road 1560 about 20 miles. This route is not recommended because the road is extremely rough and steep. Note: Forest Service Road 141 connects to the Deadwood Bridge in Lane County.

Location:
From Portland take Highway 99 through Newberg to Highway 18, then west 60 miles past Willamina to New Grand Ronde. Turn north on Grand Ronde Road to "A" Ackerson Road. Turn left and continue one block, keeping left at the "Y" into the yard of the white house. Be sure to request permission at the house before proceeding past the barn to the bridge.

Background:
Built in 1932 by Doc Fourtner and his wife, the bridge allowed dairy livestock to cross the South Yamhill River without danger of being swept away by high water.

The Grave Creek covered span at Sunny Valley, about 15 miles north of Grants Pass, can be seen by motorists traveling Interstate 5.

Location:
From I-205 exit Foster Road east. Turn south on SE 134 to Deardorf Road and travel for 1/2 mile. Cedar Crossing is on Deardorf Road over Johnson Creek.

Background:
Although not a true covered bridge as no truss is used for support, Cedar Crossing represents Oregon's commitment to a history rich in covered bridge lore.

Location:
From Eugene take Highway 99 north to Highway 36. Travel west on Highway 36 approximately 38 miles to Nelson Mountain Road. Alternately, travel north from Mapleton on Highway 36. The Nelson Mountain Road turnoff is located near milepost 17. Turn south on Nelson Mountain Road to the bridge.

Background:
The Lake Creek Bridge, or Nelson Creek Bridge as some call it, was built in 1928 for the modest price of $3,155.

Location:
From Roseburg take Highway 138 east to Glide. Just before entering Glide turn south on Little River Road. The bridge is approximately seven miles south of Highway 138 at the intersection of Little River Road and Cavitt Creek Road (county roads 17 and 82).

Background:
The Cavitt Creek Bridge, crossing Little River at the junction with Cavitt Creek, is another of the wooden structures built by Floyd Frear, noted Douglas County builder.