Chow Chow Bridge facts for kids
The Chow Chow Bridge was a special wooden bridge that crossed the Quinault River in Washington (state). It was built on the land of the Quinault Indian Reservation, near a town called Taholah. This bridge was first built in 1952 and was taken down in 1988. It was designed by Frank Milward for a company called Aloha Lumber Company.
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What Was the Chow Chow Bridge?
The Chow Chow Bridge was one of the first bridges in the United States that used a design called "cable-stayed." This means it had strong cables connected from tall towers to the bridge deck, helping to hold it up. It was the very first bridge of this type in Washington state.
Building the Bridge
The bridge was built in 1952. It was made of wood and designed by Frank Milward. The purpose of the bridge was likely to help the Aloha Lumber Company move timber or supplies across the river.
A Bridge with Challenges
The Chow Chow Bridge faced many challenges during its time. It actually collapsed three different times! Each time it fell, people worked to rebuild it. It was rebuilt twice after collapsing.
Why Was the Bridge Important?
Even though it collapsed a few times, the Chow Chow Bridge was important because it was one of the first "cable-stayed" bridges in the entire United States. This design is now very common for many large bridges around the world.
A Protest and Its Meaning
In 1971, the bridge became part of an important event. Joe DeLaCruz, a leader of the Quinault Indian Nation, and other members of the Quinault community closed the bridge. They did this to protest against unfair ways that natural resources, like timber, were being taken from their reservation lands. This protest helped bring attention to the rights of the Quinault people and how their land was being used.
What Happened to the Bridge?
The Chow Chow Bridge finally collapsed for the last time in 1988. After this final collapse, the wood from the bridge was not wasted. The timbers were used to make cedar shakes, which are like wooden shingles, for the tribal center in Taholah. This way, parts of the old bridge continued to serve the community.
