Ritner Creek Bridge - Pedee, Oregon
N 44° 43.679 W 123° 26.510
10T E 465012 N 4952828
A covered bridge located about 3 miles south of Pedee, Oregon on highway 223
Waymark Code: WMAKGK
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 01/25/2011
Views: 2
It was built in 1927 by Hammer & Curry Construction for $6,964.00. It is 75 feet long, and was the last covered bridge on an Oregon state highway. In 1976 it was moved slightly downstream, and replaced by a cement bridge. This information is availabe on (visit link) along with several pictures. I have altered the current function to show that it is no longer in use.
This is some information posted on a sign on the bridge.
It almost became a memory in 1974, when it was declared structurally unsafe, it was scheduled for removal. The children of Pedee school, along with the citizens in the Pedee area rallied to it's support with a "Save Our Bridge" campaign. The county commissioners met with the state highway department and as a result the issue was placed on the ballot May 28, 1974. The measure passed and the covered bridge was moved to an adjacent site. The new bridge on highway 223 parallels it.
Ritner Creek Bridge was named for a pioneer, Sabastian Ritner who arrived in Oregon in 1845. Some of his descendebts still live in this area.
The bridge was built in 1926 by Hammer and Curry contractors at a cost of $6,963.78. Relocation of the bridge cost the taxpayers $26,031 in 1975-76. An additional $533.08 has been spent on a mini-park, which is located next to the bridge. Another park, Ritner Creek County Park is located a few miles upstream.
Street address:
Pedee, Oregon USA
County / Borough / Parish: Polk County
Year listed: 1979
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architechture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1925-1949
Historic function: Transportation
Current function: Transportation, History
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.