Byrne's Ferry Covered Bridge facts for kids

The Byrne's Ferry bridge was a special covered bridge that crossed the Stanislaus River in California. It connected Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. This historic bridge was first built during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. It was located on the O'Byrne's Ferry road, linking towns like Chinese Camp and Copperopolis. For many years, it was one of the last covered bridges left in California. Sadly, the bridge was taken down in 1957 to make way for the Tulloch Dam.

History of the Bridge

Early Days of the Ferry

The bridge got its name from P. O. Byrne, who ran a ferry boat on the Stanislaus River. This ferry started operating as early as 1849. It helped gold seekers travel across the river. The area was first called Waterville, then later Poker Flat. Some say the famous story The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte was written about this very spot.

P. O. Byrne saw a chance for future success here. He started a company to build a strong steel bridge. The first bridge was a chain cable suspension bridge with a wooden floor. It was finished in the spring of 1853. It was meant to be a toll bridge, meaning people would pay to cross it. However, before it officially opened, it was found to be too weak. A wagon pulled by oxen tried to cross, and the bridge collapsed!

Rebuilding the Bridge

The bridge was rebuilt in 1856 by a different company. This new bridge was much stronger. But it was destroyed again in the Great Flood of 1862. Right after the flood, a new covered bridge was built in the same year. This bridge was a special type called a Howe truss bridge, made even stronger with an extra arch. The Union Bridge Company built and ran this bridge. It was also a toll bridge for many years.

Making the Bridge Free

A cattleman named Fred Burnham helped make the Byrne's Ferry bridge free for everyone. In the late 1800s, he would move his cattle across the bridge every summer. He had to pay about $25 or $30 each time, which was a lot of money back then! He also thought the bridge was not in good shape.

Because he was unhappy, Burnham started a petition. He wanted the counties to buy the bridge and make it free. In 1902, his petition worked! The counties of Calaveras and Tuolumne bought the bridge for $4,000. After that, people no longer had to pay a toll to cross.

A Famous Bandit Story

It is said that a famous bandit named Tiburcio Vasquez once robbed a stagecoach nearby. This stagecoach traveled between Chinese Camp and Copperopolis. The Wells Fargo company offered a reward for his capture. A group of people formed a posse (a group looking for a criminal) at Poker Flat. They crossed the Byrne's Ferry bridge while chasing the bandit. Vasquez got away that time, but he was later caught in San Jose and arrested.

Demolition and Replacement

Why the Bridge Was Removed

The story of the covered bridge ended because of a big project called the Tri-Dam project. This project built the Tulloch Reservoir. When the reservoir is full, it creates a large lake that covers the old bridge site with about eighty feet of water.

In 1957, as the reservoir started to fill, people wondered what to do with the bridge. Should they burn it or just let it float away?

Efforts to Save the Bridge

Many groups wanted to save the bridge. These included the Calaveras and Tuolumne County Historical Societies, the Copperopolis Community Club, and the Native Sons of the Golden West. They started a "DOLLAR" campaign to raise money to save the bridge. They hoped to move it to a new spot downstream. The idea was to move it to a lagoon created by the reservoir. There, it could still be a tourist attraction. The California State Parks Commission supported this idea. A local rancher even offered land for the bridge. However, these plans did not work out.

The Bridge's Final Days

On October 21, 1957, the counties sold the bridge at an auction. People tried to use dynamite to blast the bridge from its supports, but it didn't work well enough. As the water level rose, the bridge eventually came loose. But by then, it was partly underwater. Since they couldn't save it, the bridge was taken apart. Some of its wood was used to build nearby resorts.

About 3,000 feet upstream from where the old covered bridge stood, a new concrete and steel bridge was built in 1958. This modern bridge cost $458,355 to build.