Baring Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Baring Bridge
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Baring Bridge
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | South fork of the Skykomish River |
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| Built | 1930 |
| Built by | Henry McBride |
| NRHP reference No. | 100004331 |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 2019 |
The Baring Bridge is a unique bridge in Washington. It is made of wood and strong steel cables. This special suspension bridge crosses the South Fork Skykomish River. It helps people living in a quiet, rural area connect to U.S. Route 2. The Baring Bridge was built in 1930. It is one of only two wooden suspension bridges in Washington that cars can still use. Because it is so important and rare, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 2019.
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What is the Baring Bridge Like?
The Baring Bridge was finished in 1930. It replaced an older bridge that looked similar, built around 1912. The main part of the bridge that hangs in the air is about 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) wide. It stretches 272 feet (83 meters) across the river.
How is the Baring Bridge Built?
The bridge also has two wooden ramps at each end. These ramps make the total length of the bridge about 334 feet (102 meters). The bridge is held up by two pairs of very strong main cables. These cables are held firmly in place by large concrete blocks on the ground. Smaller cables also help support the bridge deck.
The tall towers that hold the main cables were rebuilt in 1958. At first, the bridge could only hold vehicles weighing up to 3 tons. After big repairs in 1995, it could hold up to 10 tons.
History of the Baring Bridge
In the late 1800s, the area around the Skykomish River was busy with mining and rock quarries. The Baring Bridge is very important because it is the only way for people living on the south side of the river to reach the community of Baring.
When Was the First Baring Bridge Built?
The very first Baring Bridge was built in 1912. It was designed by J.G. McCormack. By 1921, this first bridge was no longer safe for cars. The bridge we see today, built in 1930, replaced it. The new bridge had a similar design to the old one.
What Happened to the Bridge Over Time?
In 1952, a very heavy snowstorm caused the bridge deck to fall down. This pulled the cables out of their anchors. To fix it, new concrete anchors were put in place. The bridge's top structure was also rebuilt using new wood.
In 1990, the Skykomish River had a huge flood. This kind of flood happens only about once every 100 years. The flood caused some damage to the Baring Bridge. Big repairs were done in 1994 and 1995. During these repairs, the bridge deck was replaced. The concrete anchors were made bigger and stronger. Old steel rods were also replaced with new, high-strength cables. More repairs were made in 2000, 2007, and 2017 to keep the bridge safe.
Why is the Baring Bridge Special Today?
In 2019, a plan was started to build a new bridge to replace the Baring Bridge. The Baring Bridge is one of only two wooden suspension bridges in Washington that cars can still use. The other one is the Longmire Bridge. It crosses the Nisqually River in Mount Rainier National Park. However, the Longmire Bridge was completely rebuilt in 2005, so it no longer has any of its original wood. This makes the Baring Bridge even more special.
