Historic Hood River
Hood River Bridge
4-30-2015
Notes
Here’s one of the last views of traffic crossing the 1918 Hood River Bridge. This is May of 1982. In August this bridge was demolished and the newer concrete bridge opened for traffic.
This bridge was 404 feet long and served faithfully, with at least two major repairs, for 64 years. Note that by this date the attractive lamps had been removed, the wooden sidewalk added, and the bridge shortened by 16 feet from its original 420 feet (apparently when the approaches were modified).
Photo courtesy of ODOT.
nels
Should have kept that for bike/hike, photo opportunities. IMHO
Kenn
I agree it should have been saved, a steel bridge would have ongoing maintenance but not concrete. 1915 bridges on the original highway are still in use and doing fine, this 1918 could have done the same.
Longshot
Sadly modern highway engineers seem to be driven to destroy things of beauty.
spinsur
it’s unfortunate, but the state didn’t have the foresight at the time for the HCRH, tried to give it to various entities, city, county, but no one wanted to accept the liability. there was a small contingent pushing to save it, but too little too late (or too soon).
Buzz
I wish Celilo Falls and Koberg Beach were stiil as they were. The only bridge I have seen that was prettier than what could be viewed under it was the old bridge that crossed the Alsea at Waldport, OR.
Kenn
Agreed the old Waldport bridge was nice but I thought it the least beautiful of all the Condes. The rebar was rusting and the concrete was crumbling, at least the highway department did a pleasant looking replacement rather than the plain concrete slabs so often now used.
Buzz
Kenn, I was in Alaska when they replaced it, so wasn’t aware of the shape it was in when they tore it down.
Kenn
Buzz, the highway department learned at Alsea that sealing was necessary near the salt water, it has been done on the others and hopefully in time.
Jeffrey Bryant
Not sure where to post this, but thought it belonged with a bridge photo:
The Hood River Glacier, April 7, 1910
The residence of J. J. Luckey which formerly stood at the corner of First and State streets has been moved to a point on State street near the bridge.