Covered Bridges – Page 17 – Not Your Average Engineer

March 25, 2011March 25, 2011

Chitwood Covered Bridge

The final bridge from our ride was the covered bridge at Chitwood. It was originally built in 1926 and has had some work done on it since then to keep it maintained. A note for motorcyclists: the north approach ramp is VERY slick in the middle where car tires don’t tread.

The sign reads: “Donated labor of local residents and Lincoln County funds of $300 provided for the first bridge across the Yaquina River at this sight, June 1983, to give access to the Corvallis and Eastern railroad station. In 1904 Lafe Pepin built the second one, which was also uncovered and supported on vertical timbers, all of which were subject to decay in rainy periods. During 1926, Otis Hamar contracted for the third at $4000. Cement piers were poured for the 96′ Howe Truss span with approaches of 33′ each. The framework, with flared sides, was fir board and batten covered with ventilation openings up under each eave of a shake roof. Above each arched portal is a ‘Chitwood’ sign which was saved from the old Southern Pacific depot removed in 1940. After 57 years of service, this structure was renovated by Jon Gilliland with installation of new material in needle beams, lower chord pieces, approaches, frame and its cedar covering.”

March 25, 2011March 25, 2011

Drift Creek Covered Bridge

The Drift Creek Covered Bridge was moved from its original site to the current location between 1997 and 2001. Now it graces the driveway of the people who appear to maintain it. For being hauled several miles away from where it started, this 1914 bridge is in pretty good shape. I wonder if they ever get annoyed with people like Carl and me parking our bikes in the middle of their driveway for photos. After this bridge, we continued on our ride to the coast.

March 25, 2011March 25, 2011

Ritner Creek Covered Bridge

The Ritner Creek Covered Bridge is the third bridge to be captured in my covered bridge series. Carl and I stopped off at this bridge for a few quick photos. It was very tempting to drive past the barricades and park our bikes on the bridge. We didn’t. Instead we kept riding for the next covered bridge on the list.

The sign on the bridge reads: “Ritner creek bridge, one of the covered bridges remaining in Oregon west of the Cascades, almost became a memory in 1974. Declared structurally unsafe, it was scheduled for removal. The children of Pedee School along with the citizens in the Pedee area rallied to it’s support with a ‘Save Our Bridge’ campaign. The county commissioners met with the state highway department and as a result the issue was placed on the ballot May 28, 1974. The measure passed and the covered bridge was moved to an adjacent site. The new bridge on Highway 223 parallels it.

Ritner Creek Bridge was named for a pioneer, Sebastian Ritner who arrived in Oregon in 1845. Some of his descendants still live in this area.

The bridge was built in 1926 by Hammer and Curry Contractors at a cost of $6,963.78. Relocation of the bridge cost the taxpayers $26,031 in 1975-75. An additional $533.08 has been spent on a mini-park, which is located next to the bridge. Another park, Ritner Creek County Park is located a few miles upstream.”