Link River Bridge (now destroyed) - Klamath Falls, OR
N 42° 13.168 W 121° 47.408
10T E 599853 N 4674852
The Link River Bridge is mentioned as a Point of Interest in the 'Oregon: End of the Trail' book and was destroyed in the summer of 2013 and replaced with a new bridge.
Waymark Code: WMF4M5
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 08/22/2012
Views: 3
***NOTE*** This bridge no longer exists as of Summer, 2013, when it was destroyed and replaced with a new bridge that was finished in November, 2013***
LINK RIVER BRIDGE, SW end of Main St. at the head of Lake Ewauna, is one of ornamental concrete construction, single span without superstructure, and is one of two that span Link River. It is at the site of the old Nurse ferry and bridge, which for many years accommodated all traffic between the Rogue River Valley and the south-central Oregon range country. In spring and summer it offers a view of great number of snow-white pelicans, some floating silently on lake or river, other soaring in flocks overhead.
--- Oregon: End of the Trail, 1940
The Link River Bridge is one of just a few original bridges in Klamath Falls that hasn't been destroyed and rebuilt like so many have throughout Oregon in the past decade from the Oregon Bridge Renewal Project.
Today, the bridge has weathered the elements better than other bridges built in the same era in town but has suffered some wear and tear. Concrete is falling off in sections and lamp posts covered in cobwebs, dirt and oxidation hide what used to be shining metal and glass. There are two plaques on opposing corners of the bridge that commemorate the bridge construction and those individuals responsible for its creation. Waymarking visitors need to enjoy this bridge now since it is in all probability that this old, historic bridge's days are numbered and will fall victim to the Oregon Bridge Renewal Project one day in the near future.
There is an old NGS benchmark on Link River Bridge that can be logged on Geocaching.com: BM NY0451 as well as a nearby historical marker just off the bridge and concealed behind brush close to the Favell Museum Pioneer Furtrader Historical Marker. Link River Bridge itself is a waymark and can be visited here: Link River Bridge. I will also be waymarking the Favell Museum soon and will provide a link here to waymark that as well.