Historic Hood River
“Not Bridge”?!
Notes
Mixed in with the Port’s collection of bridge construction images is an envelope labeled “Not Bridge”. It probably should say “not our bridge” because it includes several beautiful images of iconic bridges around the county. I immediately recognized this one as the Navajo Bridge across the Colorado River near Lees Ferry, Arizona and the Glen Canyon Dam. I visited this spot recently. This old bridge remains as a pedestrian bridge, while a new bridge handles modern traffic loads.
This is a good example of why it is important to scan not only the images but all the material that comes with them. In this case the photo processor’s envelope is from a camera store in Olympia Washington, and marked with the name “Chandler”. It turns out Elbert Chandler was one of the original designers of the Hood River White Salmon Bridge, and he was hired to design the lift span and other modifications in the 1930s. There’s reasonable evidence all these images we have of the reconstruction were taken by Chandler himself. The “Not Bridge” envelope is likely images he captured while visiting other bridges around the country, keeping up with current construction techniques.
Kalley
We were just there last March for almost a week. We stayed at The Lake Powell Campground on the south side of Page. We saw the Wahweap Overlook, Glenn Canyon dam and visitor center, did the Antelope Canyon tour lead by a wonderful native man, went to Horseshoe Bend, Vermillion Cliffs and Antelope Point. I know there are many other places to explore in this area. We didn’t bring our side by sides, but were told that there are many trails to ride there too. It’s beautiful there!
ArthurB
I agree Kalley, there is a lot to see and do in this area. I enjoyed a picnic lunch alongside the Colorado at Lee’s Ferry.
L. E.
It reminds me of the Twin Falls Idaho bridge.
Arthur Babitz
Funny LE, there is also a photo of the Twin Falls Bridge in this set and for a while I thought they were the same bridge. The truss structure was a little different, as are the railings.
Stever
Dang … I was unable to visually walk across the bridge via the Google map link .. :/
this vid might help some .. 🙂 ..
thanks for the historic pic !
https://youtu.be/lpoTnOpE4rU
Elizabeth Bickford
My Great Grandparents J.E. and Elizabeth Slade plus my grandmother Janet Slade (1209 State St) drove back east in 1927 in their 1923 Buick. They crossed the Colorado at Lees Ferry, on what my great grandmother called a log raft. She kept a journal of the trip. I Googled the historic crossing and those ferries were in fact close to log rafts.