Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Oregon City #15: Willamette River Bridge

IMG_2756 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

The first suspension bridge west of the Mississippi River was erected here in 1888. This concrete arch bridge was built in 1922 to replace it. The suspension cables from the original bridge were used to support the current bridge during construction.

IMG_2752 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

The bridge was designed by Conde B. McCullough, and the bridge's Art Deco details are typical of McCullough's designs.

IMG_2751 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

The bridge features a 360-foot half-through arch main span, and is one of only four of this type of bridge in Oregon.

IMG_2749 Willamette River Bridge Plaque in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge Plaque on August 19, 2006

Though the bridge structure appears to be built entirely of concrete, the arch is actually steel and is covered with a protective layer of sprayed-on concrete called gunite.

IMG_2723 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

The bridge was built by A. Guthrie & Company of Portland, Oregon.

IMG_2823 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 2005.

IMG_2817 Willamette River Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon on August 19, 2006
Willamette River Bridge on August 19, 2006

Historical Photos:
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge, 1890 (Oregon State Library)
Sternwheeler under Oregon City Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Sternwheeler under Oregon City Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Oregon City Suspension Bridge (Oregon State Library)
View of Willamette River Bridge, Feb. 1961 (Salem Public Library)
View of Willamette River Bridge, Feb. 1961 (Salem Public Library)

IMG_1934 Willamette Queen under the Willamette River Bridge at Oregon City, Oregon on February 1, 2010
Sternwheeler Willamette Queen under the Willamette River Bridge on February 1, 2010

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