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Lake Creek Bridge
Nelson Mountain Covered Bridge (Greenleaf, Oregon).jpg
The bridge carries Nelson Mountain Road.
Lake Creek Bridge is located in Oregon
Lake Creek Bridge
Location in Oregon
Lake Creek Bridge is located in the United States
Lake Creek Bridge
Location in the United States
Built 1928
Architectural style Howe truss
MPS Oregon Covered Bridges TR
NRHP reference No. 79002091
Added to NRHP November 29, 1979

The Lake Creek Bridge, also known as the Nelson Mountain Bridge, is a special old bridge near Greenleaf, Oregon. It's so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a historic landmark in the U.S. state of Oregon. This amazing covered bridge was built in 1928. It's about 105-foot (32 m) long and helps people cross Lake Creek on Nelson Mountain Road in Lane County.

About the Lake Creek Bridge

The Lake Creek Bridge is a type of bridge called a covered bridge. This means it has a roof and walls, just like a house. These coverings protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and sun. This helps the bridge last much longer. The Lake Creek Bridge uses a special design called a Howe truss. A truss is like a strong framework of triangles that helps support the bridge's weight. The Howe truss design was invented by William Howe in 1840. It uses both wood and iron to make it very strong.

What Makes This Bridge Special?

The Lake Creek Bridge has some really cool features that make it stand out.

  • Strong Wood Beams: The main support beams, called truss chords, are made from huge pieces of old-growth timber. These are trees that grew for a very long time, making their wood incredibly strong.
  • Unique Windows: Look closely and you'll see narrow, thin windows near the roof, called ribbon windows. They let in light but keep the inside protected.
  • Cool Entrances: The openings at each end of the bridge, called portals, have a special shape. They are like rectangular arches with the corners cut off.

Keeping the Bridge Strong

Even strong bridges need a little help to stay in good shape. In 1984, the Lake Creek Bridge got a big update.

  • New Foundations: The old foundations, called abutments, were replaced with new ones made of reinforced concrete. Abutments are the parts of the bridge that connect it to the land on either side. Concrete makes them very sturdy.
  • New Floor: The bridge also got a new floor.
  • Increased Strength: All these changes helped make the bridge much stronger. This means it can safely carry heavier vehicles and more traffic today.
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