McKenzie River Covered Bridge
Original pen & ink rendering. As I was searching for information on the McKenzie River Covered Bridge, I discovered that there are actually two covered bridges that span the river, the Goodpasture Bridge and the Belknap Bridge. Trying to determine which bridge this is might be tricky, but I believe this one is the Belknap Bridge.
The Belknap Bridge occupies a site in which a covered bridge has been in continuous use since 1890. The neighboring community recognized the importance of a river crossing at that location and adopted the name “McKenzie Bridge.” In 1911 the first bridge was replaced by Lane County with another covered structure. The third covered bridge at this site was erected in 1939 and was destroyed by the Christmas Flood of 1964. The current covered span was designed by Oregon Bridge Corporation of Springfield and built by contract let by the county. The bridge was opened in 1966, and is located about 46 miles east of Springfield, Oregon.
The Goodpasture Bridge is one of the most beautiful and most photographed covered bridges in the state. Designed by the State Highway Department and built by Lane County, the classical and timeless architecture of this bridge is accentuated by Gothic style windows on both sides of the structure. At 165 feet, the span is the longest covered bridge in Oregon still in daily use. The Goodpasture Bridge is located about 26 miles east of Springfield, Oregon.
The next step will be to determine which bridge this is, and then do a rendering of the other one to post here as well, but at least I’ve included a little information about each bridge for the time being.