Gilkey Covered Bridge - Linn County, Oregon

The Gilkey Covered Bridge is a 120 foot long Howe Truss covered bridge located on Goar Road near Scio, Oregon. The covered bridge features open sides, curved portals and was built in 1939 over Thomas Creek, a tributary of the South Santiam River. The bridge also serves as part of the Linn County Covered Bridge Tour, which is a driving tour that features nine covered bridges in and around the county.

The covered bridge closed in 1997 due to damage caused by an overweight vehicle, cracking the bridge's timbers. This led to the covered bridge being rehabilitated, ultimately being reopened in 1998. In 2017, the covered bridge underwent further renovation with new approach spans built for the bridge, along with replacement of the bridge's substructure, abutments, and piers. Once renovations were completed, the weight limit of the bridge increased from 6 tons to 40 tons.

The covered bridge is a remnant of the former town of Gilkey, serving as a point for shipping of agricultural goods. Gilkey was established when the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1880 and was named in honor of Allen and William Gilkey, who were early settlers to the area. There is a parallel span for the railroad, and up until 1960, the railroad bridge was also covered. The only remnants of Gilkey is a sign down the road explaining the history of the area, along with the historic Gilkey Covered Bridge.

How to Get There:

Sources and Links:
Oregon Discovery - Gilkey Covered Bridge
Travel Oregon - Gilkey Bridge
Linn County, Oregon - Covered Bridge Tour Route

Yesterdays Trails - CV019: Gilkey Covered Bridge near Jefferson, OR – 1977

Comments

Bleriot Ferry - Alberta

Alberta operates six ferries scattered throughout the province. Roughly twenty to twenty-five kilometers up the Red Deer River from the town of Drumheller is one of the most scenic ferry crossings in all of Wild Rose Country, the Bleriot Ferry. Using the North Dinosaur Trail (Alberta Highway 838, or AB 838), the Bleriot Ferry provides a scenic river cruise of sorts in the Canadian Badlands. The Bleriot Ferry started operating in 1913 as the Munson Ferry when a few bridges crossed the Red Deer River. The ferry was started by Andre Bleriot, the brother of famed early aviator Louis Bleriot, who became famous for being the first person to fly over the English Channel. At the time, the Alberta provincial government commissioned local residents to run the ferries. There were several ferries along the Red Deer River, and not only did they serve as vital transportation links, but they also served as local social hubs, since everyone had to take the ferries to go places. Over time, as the...

The Pollasky Bridge

The Pollasky Bridge near modern day Friant is a ruined highway bridge which was completed during early 1906 as part of the Fresno-Fresno Flats Road. The structure is one of the oldest known arch concrete spans to have been constructed in California. The bridge briefly carried California State Route 41 following the destruction of the Lanes Bridge in 1940. The Pollasky Bridge itself was destroyed by flooding during 1951, but the ruins can still be found on the Madera County side of the San Joaquin River. Pictured as the blog cover is the Pollasky Bridge as it was featured in the 1913 book "The Concrete Bridge." The structure can be seen crossing the San Joaquin River near Friant below on the 1922 United States Geological Survey Map. Part 1; the history of the Pollasky Bridge The Pollasky Bridge site is near modern day Friant of Fresno County. The community of Friant was established as Converse Ferry during 1852 on the San Joaquin Rive...

I-73/I-74 and NC Future Interstates Year in Review 2024

Welcome to another annual review of progress in constructing North Carolina's New and Future Interstate routes. While 2024 was not too exciting, with no new segments of major routes opening, there was 1 new interstate signing, another proposed new interstate route, and the near opening of a new segment for 2 routes. As tradition, I will start off with a review of what happened with I-73 and I-74 and then move on to the major news of the year about the other new and future routes. Work continued on the I-73/I-74 Rockingham Bypass through the year. The last few months have been hoping for news of its opening before 2025, without luck. Signs of its near completion included the placement of new signs, many with interstate shields uncovered, along the Bypass and intersecting roadways. For example, these went up along US 74 East: Overhead signage at Business 74 exit which contains the future ramp to I-73 North/I-74 West. Signage was also updated heading west on US 74 approaching the unop...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog