Steve'sDigicams

calr · Oct 31, 2005, 11:21 PM

Here is a rather unusual structure. If you didn't know what it was, it could appear to be one of many different type of structures.

If you know what it is, do you know where it is?

If there are no correct guesses in a couple days, I'll post a couple more pictures and some history of the structure. I will say that it is in Western Oregon.

Cal Rasmussen

GoCubs · Nov 1, 2005, 1:06 AM

I have no idea where it is, but I think it might be a covered bridge? Is it open to traffic? What happened to that parrot on your head? Too many ???

calr · Nov 1, 2005, 8:59 AM

Let's give some more time to see what other people think. I am neither confirming your guess or saying it is wrong.

As for the bird on my head.....yes, too many .... :lol:

Cal Rasmussen

SteveDak · Nov 1, 2005, 9:30 AM

Maybe some kind of conveyor housing / sawmill operation?

SteveDak · Nov 1, 2005, 9:44 AM

Second thoughts I think it might be connected to gold mining - a sifting conveyor perhaps?

calr · Nov 1, 2005, 7:02 PM

Well, GoCubs got it. It is a covered bridge.

This is the Office Bridge in the little town of Westfir. The bridge was originally built for access to a large lumber mill. The mill is gone now but the bridge is still maintained and is open for traffic.

This is a very unusual covered bridge. It has the usual vehicle lane but also a separate pedestrian lane. Originally the mill was on the North side of the river but the company offices were on the South side of the river. The vehicle lane was barely wide enough for timber trucks and it wasn't safe for pedestrians so they built a separate section of the bridge for pedestrians. As far as I know, this is the only covered bridge to have this feature.

Cal Rasmussen

SteveDak · Nov 1, 2005, 10:49 PM

Very well maintained by the looks of it - any idea of when it was built?

calr · Nov 2, 2005, 11:26 AM

It was built in 1944.

schmiedel · Nov 2, 2005, 4:10 PM

OK,

Interesting. I have one question though. Why were covered bridges built anyway? I have seen there are many in the US, what are (or were) they good for?

Regards

calr · Nov 2, 2005, 5:10 PM

A common question. The heavy wood support structure of the bridge would rot and fail within a few years if constantly exposed to the elements. The covering structure is designed to protect the support trusses from the weather and thus prolong their useful life.

I have taken a lot of photos of this particular bridge, both inside and out and I found something very interesting. There is nothing supporting the roof. It is essentially two flat sections tilted and leaned against each other. I would think it wouldn't take much snow to collapse it. However, the bridge is a year older than me and it appears to be in excellent shape. I don't know if the roof is original or not.

BTW, there are about 60-80 covered bridges remaining in Oregon. I have visited and photographed over half of them. I am planning on putting an album on Photobucket showing many of the bridges. I haven't scanned all my 35mm negs of covered bridges, yet, so it may be a month or so.

Cal Rasmussen

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Oct 31, 2005, 11:21 PM	#1
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	Here is a rather unusual structure. If you didn't know what it was, it could appear to be one of many different type of structures. If you know what it is, do you know where it is? If there are no correct guesses in a couple days, I'll post a couple more pictures and some history of the structure. I will say that it is in Western Oregon. Cal Rasmussen

Nov 1, 2005, 1:06 AM	#2
GoCubs Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 766	I have no idea where it is, but I think it might be a covered bridge? Is it open to traffic? What happened to that parrot on your head? Too many ???

Nov 1, 2005, 8:59 AM	#3
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	Let's give some more time to see what other people think. I am neither confirming your guess or saying it is wrong. As for the bird on my head.....yes, too many .... :lol: Cal Rasmussen

Nov 1, 2005, 9:30 AM	#4
SteveDak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,471	Maybe some kind of conveyor housing / sawmill operation?

Nov 1, 2005, 9:44 AM	#5
SteveDak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,471	Second thoughts I think it might be connected to gold mining - a sifting conveyor perhaps?

Nov 1, 2005, 7:02 PM	#6
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	Well, GoCubs got it. It is a covered bridge. This is the Office Bridge in the little town of Westfir. The bridge was originally built for access to a large lumber mill. The mill is gone now but the bridge is still maintained and is open for traffic. This is a very unusual covered bridge. It has the usual vehicle lane but also a separate pedestrian lane. Originally the mill was on the North side of the river but the company offices were on the South side of the river. The vehicle lane was barely wide enough for timber trucks and it wasn't safe for pedestrians so they built a separate section of the bridge for pedestrians. As far as I know, this is the only covered bridge to have this feature. Cal Rasmussen

Nov 1, 2005, 10:49 PM	#7
SteveDak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,471	Very well maintained by the looks of it - any idea of when it was built?

Nov 2, 2005, 11:26 AM	#8
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	It was built in 1944.

Nov 2, 2005, 4:10 PM	#9
schmiedel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 119	OK, Interesting. I have one question though. Why were covered bridges built anyway? I have seen there are many in the US, what are (or were) they good for? Regards

Nov 2, 2005, 5:10 PM	#10
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	A common question. The heavy wood support structure of the bridge would rot and fail within a few years if constantly exposed to the elements. The covering structure is designed to protect the support trusses from the weather and thus prolong their useful life. I have taken a lot of photos of this particular bridge, both inside and out and I found something very interesting. There is nothing supporting the roof. It is essentially two flat sections tilted and leaned against each other. I would think it wouldn't take much snow to collapse it. However, the bridge is a year older than me and it appears to be in excellent shape. I don't know if the roof is original or not. BTW, there are about 60-80 covered bridges remaining in Oregon. I have visited and photographed over half of them. I am planning on putting an album on Photobucket showing many of the bridges. I haven't scanned all my 35mm negs of covered bridges, yet, so it may be a month or so. Cal Rasmussen