Historic Hood River
Old Hood River Bridge
Notes
Before the current State Street bridge over the Hood River was built there was the beautiful Columbia River Highway Bridge of 1920. But before that bridge was built, this wooden bridge was the land route to points east and south. As you can imagine it didn’t take too many logs rushing down a swollen Hood River to take out this bridge. It was subject to frequent washouts and required regular repair.
You can see the roadway starts a steep climb from the east end of the bridge up behind the Button farm to the intersection now known as Button Junction. From there the East Side Grade was a steep and narrow route up to Pine Grove, Parkdale, and points south.
The modern bridge is considerably higher, with its eastern half climbing and curving towards Button Junction. You can still see the east landing shared by the older bridges if you walk north along the old roadbed on the east bank of the Hood River.
l.e.
Much more peaceful looking than today’s hustle and bustle when you cross the bridge and stop at the four way junction.
I wonder how long it took a team and wagon from Hood River to Pine Grove?
Is that the little red building from the 1920 picture, sitting up on the hill?
spinsur
And eastbound, cross the bridge and take a left would take you to the ferry landing and the early bridge. Corp map refers to the little red building as a "tank house". Pumped up from river?
Scott Cook
Fabulous photo!
Jim Mason
Another stunner which raises my interest in walk-around historical sleuthing in Hood River. Thank you.
Charlott
Very interesting. Have always wondered what the bridge looked like, as this was the one that my great-great uncle was thrown from his wagon to his death on the rocks.
Kenn
I believe this bridge existed form 1866 until 1918 when the concrete bridge was constructed. My figures show 420′ long with a 19′ roadway on a 23′ deck. A cantilever sidewalk was added later on the north side. Demolished 8-1918.
Replaced by three 95′ concrete arches 22′ wide, 110′ of approached span on the west and a total of 450′.
Kenn
On the east side concrete remains for both the steel and concrete bridges.