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Join us for an autumn
drive to the Historic Wooden Span in Bridgeport. This bridge is one
of two still standing in Northern California. The other is in the
Chico area. This park in slated to close next year so this drive
might be your last chance to visit this magnificent structure.
The tour will be departing from Taylor's Corner Drive-In at 10 a.m.
Please be at the Drive-in located at 3987 Taylor Road, Loomis
between 9:15 & 9:30. We will travel on the old Lincoln
Highway and numerous back roads to Bridgeport. After stopping to
admire the bridge, we will have lunch in Penn Valley. Following
lunch, it will be more scenic roads and a final stop at the Dew Drop
Inn.
Please contact Bob Veliky at 916-792-9825 or via email at
rjveliky@aol.com
Information about the
Bridgeport Bridge
Bridgeport is one of
only 10 covered bridges remaining in California. The bridge is in
very good condition considering its age. Built in 1862, at 251 feet,
it is the longest single span covered bridge in the United States.
The type of construction is unique, a Howe truss with an auxiliary
Burr arch. The arch is visible from the outside as well as the
inside, consisting of two five by fourteen inch timbers bolted
together, squeezing between them the members of the truss. This
combination, made from local Douglas Fir, and resting on massive
granite blocks, endured the weight of a 13 ton tractor without
excessive strain. Today the bridge is rated at 3 tons because of the
age of the timber. The unique design seems to have been taken from a
plan or design prepared by Theodore Burr for a bridge constructed in
1804, across the Hudson River and patented in 1817.
The Sugar Pine shake roofing and sides not only protect the timber
from the weather, but contribute an air of historic antiquity which
attracts many visitors to see and photograph it.
In 1853, the California Legislature authorized the formation of
"Turnpike Companies" that would build roads and bridges and maintain
and operate them as business ventures. County governments were newly
formed and generally without funds to build or maintain the many
roads and bridges, thus creating the need for the "Turnpike
Companies". Tolls were approved by the local county Boards of
Supervisors.
The Virginia Turnpike Company, organized in 1856, by David I. Wood,
arranged for construction of the toll road from a point near the
Anthony House (under present day Lake Wildwood), to French Corral, a
distance of 10 miles. This later became a portion of the heavily
traveled route between Marysville and Virginia City.
The bridge was built under the direction of Mr. Wood. The lumber was
produced by his sawmill in Forest City. The bridge was taken over by
Nevada County from the Virginia Turnpike Company in 1901. From that
date no further tolls were charged.
The Bridgeport Covered Bridge was acquired by the State Department
of Parks and Recreation in 1986, and is now the centerpiece of the
South Yuba River State Park.
The bridge is both a State and National Historic Landmark. It is
truly a living memorial to the high degree of individual initiative
and private enterprise which was such a driving force in 19th
century California.
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