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Bridges to the Past... Exploring Covered Bridges in Oregon

The State of Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges in the western states, and one of the largest in the nation. The covered-bridge-building tradition in Oregon dates from the 1850's. Out of necessity, bridges were built with local materials at hand. Douglas fir was abundant in western Oregon and well-suited to bridge construction. "Houses" were constructed over the timber trusses to increase their useful life, protecting them from the damp western Oregon climate. Covered bridge building in Oregon peaked between 1905 and 1925 when there were an estimated 450 covered bridges in the state.

Oregon currently has 50 covered bridges. Those featured below are found in Lincoln County, within easy driving distance of Surftides Inn & Conference Center. Note that links are to Oregon Transportation Department pdf files for each bridge, that among other things, provides longitude and latidude locations used in creating the directions indicated.

Oregon coast covered bridges are listed by distance from the hotel:

Lincoln Drift Creek (Bear Creek) Covered Bridge •  9.3 miles 

Directions: From Surftides Inn: Head north on NW Jetty Ave toward NW 30th St 0.6 mi; Turn right at NW 39th St 0.3 mi; Turn left at US-101 2.5 mi; Take the ramp onto OR-18 4.9 mi; Turn right at Bear Creek Rd 1.0 mi; Turn left at N Roger Ln 210 ft.

Originally built south of Lincoln City only 1.5 miles from the coast, the Lincoln Drift Creek bridge was considered the oldest remaining covered bridge in Oregon. The span once served traffic on a main north-south route along the Oregon coast. New roads and highways were built later, thus diverting most of the traffic from the now remote site. After the bridge was bypassed in the mid-1960s, Lincoln County passed an ordinance preserving the wooden structure as an historical memorial to the Lincoln County pioneers. The deteriorating bridge was dismantled in late 1997, the County giving the timbers to the Sweitz family who owned land only eight miles to the north of the original site whose efforts resulted in the resurrection of the bridge which now stands in a small, beautiful park-like setting.

Fourtner Covered Bridge •  25.7 miles 

Directions: From Surftides Inn: Head north on NW Jetty Ave toward NW 30th St 0.6 mi; Turn right at NW 39th St 0.3 mi; Turn left at US-101 2.5 mi; Take the ramp onto OR-18 21.1 mi; Turn left at Grand Ronde Rd 1.0 mi; Turn left at A Ackerson Rd 0.3 mi.

Built in 1932, the Fourtner Covered Bridge allowed dairy livestock to cross the South Yamhill River without danger of being swept away by high water. An ongoing maintenance schedule kept the bridge in good repair so that today its overall condition appears to be relatively good. The planking is unpainted, adding a rustic charm to the structure. The west end of the bridge is enclosed by a doorway allowing pedestrian access.

Yaquina River Chitwood Covered Bridge •  42.4 miles 

Directions: From Surftides Inn: Head south on NW Jetty Ave toward NW Inlet Ave 0.4 mi; Turn left at NW 21st St 0.2 mi; Turn right at US-101 26.3 mi; Turn left at E Olive St 0.8 mi; Continue on US-20 14.7 mi; Turn right at Chitwood Rd 171 ft.

The Chitwood Bridge was once surrounded by several stores, a post office, a telephone office, and several houses. The boarded up remains of the Smith store nearby is a dim reminder of the vitality the community once had. Logging in the area once boomed enough to support not only the stores, but also contributed to rowdy times in the Chitwood Dance Hall. In the early 1900s Chitwood became an important rail stop for the steam locomotives from Yaquina to Corvallis, as the town was where the engines took on water and fuel, as well as passengers and freight. While the rails near the bridge are still used, the train no longer stops at Chitwood. In 1983, work was completed on rehabilitation work of the covered bridge.

North Fork Yachats Covered Bridge  •  59.4 miles 

Directions: From Surftides Inn: Head south on NW Jetty Ave toward NW Inlet Ave 0.4 mi; Turn left at NW 21st St 0.2 mi; Turn right at US-101 50.3 mi; Slight left at Yachats River Rd 7.0 mi; Turn left at County Road 805/N Yachats River Rd 1.5 mi.

The rustic covered bridge spanning the North Fork of the Yachats was built in 1938, just seven miles from the Pacific Ocean. Since the covered span is the only access for families in the area, the bridge roof was removed to allow a mobile home to cross in the early 1980s. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1989 when work crews replaced the trusses and approaches, also adding a new roof and siding. A dedication in December 1989 officially re-opened the bridge to traffic.

Five Rivers (Fisher School) Covered Bridge  •  71.7 miles 

Directions: From Surftides Inn: Head south on NW Jetty Ave toward NW Inlet Ave 0.4 mi; Turn left at NW 21st St 0.2 mi; Turn right at US-101 41.8 mi; Turn left at NW Hemlock St 0.2 mi; Continue on Alsea Hwy 1.4 mi; Continue on OR-34 18.4 mi; Turn right at 5 Rivers Rd 9.2 mi; Turn right at E Crab Creek Rd 66 feet.

Built in 1919, the Five Rivers Bridge is located in the rugged foothills of Lincoln County. During the 1970s, residents of the Fisher community rallied to preserve the bridge, which was scheduled for demolition. Due to close proximity of the Fisher Elementary School, some refer to the covered bridge as the Fisher School Bridge. The area around Five Rivers was the site of other covered bridges, but today only the Fisher Bridge remains. Design features include semi-elliptical portal arches, narrow ribbon openings under the side wall eaves, flared side walls and wood piers.