The personal and professional website of Douglas Van Bossuyt
This last weekend I completed my quest to visit every covered bridge in the state of Oregon. With temperatures hovering between 97 and 100 F between Grants Pass and Medford, I was happy to have the ample storage capacity afforded by the PC800’s trunk for the several gallons of water I carried and consumed. The salt packets I got at Wendy’s were a real life saver. This 17 hour ride covered about 650 miles from start to finish.
Now that I am done collecting covered bridges, what will I do next?
The McKee Covered Bridge is the last bridge that I needed to see in order to complete my Oregon Covered Bridge quest. This is also the farthest bridge from my current residence in Corvallis. I made it to the bridge at around 8pm. This bridge was well worth the trip.
The plaque reads:
This bridge was built in 1917 by Jason Hartman of Jacksonville. The site was donated by Adelbert “Deb” McKee, a ranch owner to the south, whose home had served as a stage station and halfway point between Jacksonville and the Blue Ledge copper mine which operated between 1906 and 1919. Relief horses were kept there for the six and eight horse teams hauling ore from the mine, and lodging and board were provided travelers.
The bridge, declared unsafe in 1956, has been maintained by community groups, and left for its historic value and use of pedestrians.
Applegate Valley Bicentennial Committee
and
Southern Oregon Historical Society
And with that, my covered bridge saga is complete. I have yet to determine what the next quest on my motorcycle will be although I have some ideas. The four ferries serving Oregon would make a nice interlude this summer before winter sets in. The Grange halls of Oregon are also a tempting target with around 180 recognized Granges being listed on the Oregon Grange website. Perhaps all of the hydroelectric power stations of Oregon… We shall see what the future holds!
The sign over the Lost Creek Covered Bridge reads “Built About 1881.” There is some debate on the internet if this span was reconstructed in the past or if it is original. The roof was replaced in the 80s however.
I signed the guest book. This was the first bridge I encountered with such a log. Lots of people visit this bridge on a regular basis. I guess there must be quite a number of people who are also visiting all the covered bridges of Oregon.
Next to the bridge is the Walch Memorial Wayside. It is a small, well-kept private park in the memory of the Walchs.
Another memorial next to the bridge. The people of this community love their covered bridge.
