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When it comes to covered bridges, California can brag with the best of them. "What!?"
You thought only New England claimed ownership of those marvelous portals to the past. Not true! What California
lacks in quantity, it certainly makes-up for in quality. Californians can flaunt the uniqueness of their covered
bridges: the tallest; the only one with three distinct roof lines; the only covered bridge installed
backwards and the longest covered bridge. Contact: Chico Chamber of Commerce, (530) 891-5556 Not far from Honey Run is a most recent and charming addition to California's covered bridges, the little known Oregon City Covered Bridge. Built in 1984, Oregon City can claim it as the newest covered bridge in California. The 50-foot, barn-red bridge welcomes visitors to Oregon City, CA, State Historical Landmark #807. Travelers to Oregon City are rewarded with panoramic views of the vast Central Valley as they wind their way up and over Table Mountain. Contact: Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce, (530) 538-2542 or (800) 655-GOLD. Built in 1860 with hand-hewn local timber, Oregon Creek (or Freeman's Crossing) is the oldest covered bridge and possibly the oldest bridge of any type in California. Oregon Creek boldly boasts it is the only covered bridge in the United States installed backwards. Washed away by a flood, a team of oxen towed it back to a convenient crossing and it was reinstalled backwards. Oregon Creek is north of Nevada City in Yuba County, off scenic Hwy. 49. Drive across the bridge and enjoy a picnic or swimming on the other side. Contact: Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-6569. Eight miles away off Pleasant Valley Rd., north of Grass Valley, the controversy continues concerning the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, "the longest single-span covered bridge in existence." Portal to portal it measures 233 feet, but the clear span -- the distance between piers -- is 208 feet. An official measuring in 1938 concluded that Bridgeport was two-feet shorter then the Old Blondheim Bridge in New York. The Bridgeport Covered Bridge does have the longest roof line. Constructed in 1862, the shake-covered arch spans the South Yuba River and was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company toll road connecting the Nevada County mines with the Comstock Mines. It is State Historical Landmark #390. Contact: Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce, (530) 273-4667 or (800) 655-4667.
Contact: Stanislaus River Park (209) 881-3517. The 130-foot Wawona Covered Bridge in Yosemite National Park, is the only covered bridge in the National Park System. At an elevation of 4,000 feet, the Wawona Covered Bridge is also the highest covered bridge in the nation. Built in 1878, the bridge crosses the south fork of the Merced River and leads to an 1880s pioneer village. Dignitaries and stars said to have visited the bridge, include: Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt and Lily Langtry. Contact: Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, (209) 966-2456 or (800) 208-2434.
California may not have the longest bridge, but it does have the shortest. At 36 feet, Roaring Camp Covered Bridge is the shortest in the United States. Located in Santa Cruz County at the entrance to Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad , the 32-year-old bridge crosses a small mill pond and stream. The award for best kept covered bridge secret goes to the village of Aptos. Built in 1974, the 100-foot Aptos Creek Covered Bridge originally was not covered. Situated on Soquel Drive at the entrance to Redwood Village, an early 1900s motor-court, the bridge was "capped" to add charm to the village. Originally open to traffic, the bridge has been used for antique shows and even an occasional wedding. Aptos is located seven-miles south of Santa Cruz. Contact: Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council, (408) 425-1234 or (800) 833-3494. If you aren't already a covered bridge enthusiast, you need only cross through one portal to fall in love. You can learn more about covered bridges in The Covered Bridges of California by Sylvanus Morley (1938); Covered Bridges of the West by Kramer A. Adams (1963); or Historic Highway Bridges of California, California Dept. of Transportation (916) 445-3520. SOURCE: California Division of Tourism and The Timeshare Beat staff research |
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Covered Bridges of California Counties
At 355 feet, Knights Ferry is the longest covered bridge in California;
the ninth longest in the nation; and the longest authentic covered bridge west of the Mississippi. The bridge replaced
a ferry service established in 1848 by Dr. William Knight. Built in 1864, the bridge crosses the river at the site
of the ruins of the old Locke grist mill. Not far from the bridge, Native American Indians ground their corn in
mortar holes in the rocks. 
Bridges were covered to protect the wooden timbers from the elements. For this reason,
Santa Cruz County covered an existing bridge -- now the Felton Covered Bridge. Thirty-four-feet high to
the peak of the roof makes the Felton Covered Bridge the tallest in the United States. One explanation for the
extraordinary height is that it had to be tall enough to accommodate a fully loaded lumber wagon. Built in 1892
from local timber, it was the last of the Redwood spans. Damaged in a storm, the bridge was completely renovated
in the late 1980s and its centennial was celebrated in 1992. In 1973 the bridge was designated as California Historical
Landmark #583. The 186-foot bridge crosses the San Lorenzo River just east of Felton. 
