Sac History Happenings: South Yuba River covered bridge is 150 years old

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

April 27, 2012

South Yuba River covered bridge is 150 years old

SOUTH YUBA BRIDGEPORT.JPG The longest single-span covered bridge still in existence in the United States is nearby on the South Yuba River. And it's turning 150 years old.

You can help celebrate this historic birthday at Sunday's festivities. It's a family-friendly event where visitors will be treated to music, games, wagon rides, tours of the vintage barn and gas station and historical reenactments.

The iconic Bridgeport Bridge was built at the height of 19th century mining activity by turnpike patriarch David Ingerfield Wood. A remarkable feat of engineering, the 243-long structure rests on two huge Douglas fir pieces secured in massive granite abutments at either end. The bridge's history and design, plus profiles of its founders are covered in an extensive article and timeline posted on the Grass Valley Union's web site.

What: Birthday Celebration for the Bridgeport Covered Bridge and Barn
Where: South Yuba River State Park (directions and map)
When: April 29, 11 to 4 p.m.
Cost: free
For more info: 530-432-2546 or website

PHOTO CREDIT: The historic wooden bridge, built in 1862 to span the south fork of the Yuba River, is located at South Yuba River State Park. 2001 Sacramento Bee photograph by Chris Crewell

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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