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List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in California facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Did you know that California is home to many amazing old bridges and tunnels? These aren't just any old structures; they are so special that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important parts of history that we want to protect for future generations. They tell stories about how people traveled, built things, and lived in California long ago.

What Makes a Bridge or Tunnel Historic?

When a bridge or tunnel is added to the National Register of Historic Places, it means it has a lot of history. It might be very old, built in a special way, or connected to important events or people. These places help us understand the past and how California grew.

Famous Historic Bridges in California

California has many different types of historic bridges. Let's look at some cool examples!

Covered Bridges: Like a Tunnel for a Bridge!

Imagine a bridge with a roof and walls, almost like a tunnel! These are called covered bridges, and they were built to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and sun. This made them last much longer.

Bridgeport Covered Bridge

The Bridgeport Covered Bridge was built way back in 1862 near French Corral. It's one of the oldest and longest covered bridges in the United States! It uses a mix of wood trusses and arches to stay strong.

Bridgeport Covered Bridge2
The historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge.

Felton Covered Bridge

Near Felton, you can find the Felton Covered Bridge, built in 1892. It's a beautiful example of a Pratt-Warren truss design. This bridge is a local landmark and a great spot to visit.

Felton, California covered bridge
Felton Covered Bridge, a classic example.

Knight's Ferry Bridge

The Knight's Ferry Bridge was built in 1864 and is a National Historic Landmark. Located in Knight's Ferry, this covered bridge uses a Howe truss design. It's a fantastic example of 19th-century engineering.

Knight's Ferry covered bridge, Stanislaus River, California
Knight's Ferry Bridge, a National Historic Landmark.

Honey Run Covered Bridge

The Honey Run Covered Bridge was built between 1894 and 1896 near Chico. Sadly, this beautiful Pratt truss covered bridge was destroyed in a fire in 2018. Even though it's gone, its history is still remembered.

Honey Run Covered Bridge
The Honey Run Covered Bridge before it was destroyed.

Amazing Arch Bridges

Arch bridges are strong and beautiful, using curved supports to hold up the road above.

Colorado Street Bridge

The Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena was finished in 1913. It's a famous concrete arch bridge known for its elegant design and impressive height.

Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge 2005
The majestic Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena.

Lower Blackburn Grade Bridge

Built in 1925, the Lower Blackburn Grade Bridge near Bridgeville is a reinforced concrete through arch bridge. This means the arch goes through the bridge deck, making it very strong.

Lower Blackburn Grade Bridge
The Lower Blackburn Grade Bridge.

Mountain Quarries Bridge

The Mountain Quarries Bridge near Auburn was built in 1912. It's a concrete arch bridge that once served a quarry, showing how important these structures were for industry.

Mountain Quarries Bridge 2012-09-16 16-32-00
The Mountain Quarries Bridge.

Unique Tunnels and Other Structures

Not all historic structures are bridges! Tunnels and other special buildings also make the list.

Burro Schmidt's Tunnel

The Burro Schmidt's Tunnel is a very unique tunnel near Ridgecrest. It was dug by one man, William "Burro" Schmidt, by hand over 38 years, starting in 1938! He dug it to create a shortcut to a mining claim, but it became a famous example of human determination.

Tunnel south entrance
The entrance to Burro Schmidt's Tunnel.

Sather Gate and Bridge

At the University of California, Berkeley, you'll find the Sather Gate and Bridge, built in 1910. It's not just a bridge; it's also a grand entrance gate to the university, showing beautiful architecture.

Sather Gate
Sather Gate and Bridge at UC Berkeley.

Other Notable Bridges

Many other bridges in California are recognized for their historical importance.

Albion River Bridge

The Albion River Bridge in Albion was built in 1944. It's a special wooden deck truss bridge, which is quite rare for its size and type.

Albion River Bridge
The wooden Albion River Bridge.

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge

The famous San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge was completed in 1936. It's a huge bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, using both cantilever truss and suspension bridge designs. It's a true engineering marvel!

Sfbaybridge at night
The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge at night.

Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge in Sacramento was built between 1934 and 1936. It's a vertical-lift bridge, meaning the middle section can be lifted straight up to let tall ships pass underneath.

Tower Bridge Sacramento edit
The iconic Tower Bridge in Sacramento.

Images for kids

  • Alexander-Acacia Bridge Alexander Ave & Acacia Ave Larkspur CA 3-21-2010 1-20-18 PM

    Alexander-Acacia Bridge

  • MASONIC PARK COVERED BRIDGE, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA

    California Powder Works Bridge

  • Carneros Creek Bridge, Old Sonoma Rd., Napa, CA 9-5-2010 11-54-35 AM

    Carneros Creek Bridge on Old Sonoma Road

  • Dinkey Creek Bridge

    Dinkey Creek Bridge

  • Durgan Bridge, Downieville, California

    Durgan Bridge

  • Fair Oaks Bridge

    Old Fair Oaks Bridge

  • Fernbridge

    Fernbridge

  • First Street Bridge, Spanning Napa River at First Street between Soscol, Napa (Napa County, California)

    First Street Bridge

  • 5 Mile Bridge--n. w. view closeup

    Five Mile Drive-Sutter Creek Bridge

  • Garnett Creek Bridge on CA 29, postmile 39.08, Calistoga, CA 10-22-2011 3-50-20 PM

    Garnett Creek Bridge on CA 29

  • Garnett Creek Bridge on Greenwood Avenue, Calistoga, CA 10-22-2011 3-40-27 PM

    Garnett Creek Bridge on Greenwood Avenue

  • Generals Highway, Clover Creek Bridge, Spanning Clover Creek on Generals Highway, approxi, Three Rivers vicinity (Tulare County, California)

    Generals' Highway Stone Bridge

  • Georgia Street Bridge, San Diego

    Georgia Street Bridge-Caltrans Bridge

  • Gianella Bridge, Spanning Sacramento River at State Highway 32, Hamilton City vicinity (Glenn County, California)

    Gianella Bridge

  • Covered Bridge, Glen Canyon (Santa Cruz County, California)

    Glen Canyon Covered Bridge

  • Russian river bridge

    Guerneville Bridge

  • Hansen Bridge (Downieville, California)

    Hansen Bridge

  • Healdsburg Bridge 193708pu

    Healdsburg Memorial Bridge

  • Hospital Bridge - Downieville, California

    Hospital Bridge

  • I Street Bridge (Sacramento)

    I Street Bridge

  • Downieville, California, at Main and Commercial St., looking south

    Jersey Bridge

  • La Loma Bridge

    La Loma Bridge

  • Maxwell Creek Bridge on Hardin Road, Locoallomi, CA 10-22-2011 5-25-50 PM

    Maxwell Creek Bridge on Hardin Road

  • Milliken Creek Bridge, Trancas St., Napa, CA 9-5-2010 1-19-32 PM

    Milliken Creek Bridge

  • Napa River Bridge on Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA 10-9-2011 5-36-22 PM

    Napa River Bridge on Zinfandel Lane

  • Oaklawn Bridge, South Pasadena

    Oaklawn Bridge and Waiting Station

  • OREGON CREEK C.B., YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA

    Oregon Creek Covered Bridge

  • Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge (Torrance)

    Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge

  • Pilarcitos Creek Bridge

    Pilarcitos Creek Bridge

  • Pope Street Bridge, Napa River, St. Helena, CA 10-9-2011 6-06-46 PM

    Pope Street Bridge

  • Rattlesnake Canyon Bridge -Travelling West

    Rattlesnake Canyon Bridge

  • Swartz Creek Bridge on Aetna Springs Road, Aetna Springs, CA 10-22-2011 4-30-43 PM

    Swartz Creek Bridge on Aetna Springs Road

  • Wawona Covered Bridge, Spanning South Fork Merced River on service road, Wawona (Mariposa County, California)

    Wawona Covered Bridge

  • Happy Isles Bridge

    Yosemite Valley Bridges

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List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in California Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.