Willamette Valley

This giant sequoia was found as a seedling tree along the railroad tracks by Sister Protasia Schindler in 1893. She planted it in front of the Queen of Angels Monastery to give some life to the grounds. Grown tall, it has become a recognized Mt. Angel's landmark.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angels were established in Oregon by a small group of Sisters from Switzerland. In 1887, construction was started on the Monastery. This majestic Sequoia has been a living witness to most of the monastery's long history and now presides over grounds populated by hundreds of other trees.

Location:
From Interstate 5 take Highway 228 (exit 216) east through Brownsville to Crawfordsville. Crawfordsville Bridge is located at the west end of Crawfordsville, beside Highway 228.

Background:
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 Crawfordsville Bridge displays another version of Linn County’s open truss style. The roofed span, built in 1932, shows a narrow slit window on both sides of the structure.

A 3.5 mile paved trail that bisects Canby and offers bikers, skaters, walkers and runners a quiet, long stretch of trail they can exercise on. It starts at 13th Avenue in South Canby and runs to the Willamette River in North Canby.

Location:
Exit I-5 at Cottage Grove. Travel south on Highway 99 to Harrison Avenue. Turn west on Harrison to Old River Road. Turn south on Old River Road. Chambers RR is off of Old River Road just south of Harrison.

Background:
The Chambers Bridge is the last covered railroad bridge in Oregon. It was built by the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railroad for a logging spur which brought logs to the Frank Chambers Mill in Cottage Grove.

A family-owned business since 1997 which has in the past focused on sandwiches, catering and quality food, has expanded into agri-tourism. It’s new location on a 35-acre farm is where they grow much of the food they serve and offer agri-tourism activities like a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, slides and greenhouses.

Location:
From Eugene travel six miles west on Highway 126 to Crow Road. Take Crow Road southwest to its intersection with Territorial Highway. Turn left (south) on Territorial Highway for one mile to Battle Creek Road. Turn right (west) on Battle Creek Road for approximately 100 yards.

Background:
The Coyote Creek Bridge was originally part of Territorial Road (1851) and was included in the state secondary road system. The bridge was bypassed when truck traffic became too heavy and a more direct highway route was constructed.

Location:
From I-5 at Albany take Highway 226 (US Route 20) (exit 233) east to Crabtree Drive. Exit the highway and travel to the town of Crabtree. From Crabtree travel north on Hungry Hill Drive for approximately 1 mile.

Background:
This covered bridge spans Crabtree Creek one mile northeast of the town of Crabtree. Both the town and the creek were named for John Crabtree, who settled in the area in 1845.

Gothic style windows grace this structure, instead of the usual open Linn County truss design.

Location:
From I-5 at Albany take Highway 226 (US Route 20) (exit 233) east to Crabtree. From Crabtree travel east on Highway 226 approximately 1 mile to Fish Hatchery Drive. Travel east on Fish Hatchery Road for approximately 6 miles.

Background:
The attractive Larwood Bridge was built to Highway Commission specifications which included a standard 105-foot length, partially exposed trusses, white-wash interior and rounded portals.

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 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.