1914 & 1923 - Bridging Schooner Creek - Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This sign is one of a group of signs at the kiosk in Siletz Bay Park..

Marker Name: 1914 & 1923 - Bridging Schooner Creek

Marker Text: Crossing Schooner Creek in the early days of Taft was always a challenge because of the tidal deposits of sand and silt that were deep and difficult to walk through. The Siletz Tribe used cedar dugout canoes and earlier settlers used a variety of watercraft.

It was not until 1910, when a swinging rope bridge was built by Taft resident Jess Stone, that a boatless crossing could be made. The swinging bridge was used by children walking to and from school as the school house was at that time located on the hill south of the creek. Although the bridge was loved by the students, the teacher Miss Margaret Ralston of Corvallis did not think it was safe and was afraid to cross it. Mr. Stone convinced her it was safe by crossing it while jumping up and down. The bridge was used until logs, pushed from a large ocean storm, backed into Schooner Creek and destroyed the fragile structure.

In 1923 a covered bridge was completed as part of the Roosevelt Highway (now Highway 101) project. In 1947 this bridge was torn down to make way for a wider concrete bridge - the fate of most covered bridges.

For a more complete photographic and written history of the Taft area and North Lincoln County, visit the North Lincoln County Historical Museum at 4907 Highway 101 here in Taft.

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