Grays River Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grays River Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 46°21′17.60″N 123°34′52.12″W / 46.3548889°N 123.5811444°W |
| Carries | Covered Bridge Road |
| Crosses | Grays River |
| Locale | Grays River, Washington |
| Heritage status | NRHP |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Howe truss |
| Material | Timber |
| Total length | 155.5 ft |
| Width | 14 ft |
| Height | 22.5 ft |
| Clearance above | 16.75 ft |
| History | |
| Construction end | 1905 |
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Grays River Covered Bridge
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The Grays River Covered Bridge in 1988
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| MPS | Historic Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000880 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1971 |
The Grays River Covered Bridge is a special one-lane bridge in Wahkiakum County, Washington. It crosses the Grays River. This bridge is unique because it's the only covered bridge in Washington State that people still use as a public road! It became a historic place in 1971.
Contents
A Bridge Through Time
Building the Bridge
The Grays River Covered Bridge was built in 1905. It was needed so that farmers could easily cross the river with their horses and wagons. A local dairy farmer, Hans P. Ahlberg, really pushed for the bridge to be built. It was constructed on his land by a company called Ferguson & Huston from Oregon.
Three years later, in 1908, a roof was added to the bridge. This was done to protect the expensive wooden parts from the heavy rains in the area. The roof was originally made of cedar wood and had a tin cap.
Saving the Bridge
By 1988, the bridge was in bad shape and almost taken down. But local people worked hard to raise money to save it. A company called Dulin Construction helped fix it up. The repairs cost almost $300,000!
The new bridge included strong steel beams. Some of these beams were covered with wood to keep the bridge looking old and historic. On September 30, 1989, the bridge was opened again for everyone to use. A local author, Robert Michael Pyle, helped celebrate the event.
How the Bridge Works
The Grays River Covered Bridge is made of timber, which means it's built from wood. It uses a special design called a Howe truss. This design helps the bridge be very strong.
The bridge is about 155.5 feet long. It stands 22.5 feet high, with 16.75 feet of space inside for vehicles. It is 14 feet wide. The outside of the bridge is covered with cedar shingles.
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These are the original plans for the bridge from 1905.
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This picture shows the Howe truss design inside the bridge.
Fun Facts and Park
The bridge is the main attraction of Ahlberg Park. The Grays River Grange, a local community group, has managed the park since 2011. Every year, they hold a fun event called the Covered Bridge Festival at the park!
