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List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state) facts for kids

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This article is about special bridges and tunnels in Washington State that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes structures that are important because of their history, how they were built, or their unique design. Some of these bridges are still standing, while others have been removed over time.

See also: List of bridges in Washington

What Makes a Bridge Historic?

A bridge or tunnel becomes "historic" when it's added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special hall of fame for buildings, places, and structures in the United States. To get on this list, a bridge must be really old, have a unique design, or be connected to important events or people in history. Protecting these structures helps us remember the past and understand how engineering has changed over time.

Famous Bridges in Washington State

Washington State has many amazing bridges, and some are so special they've been added to the National Register. Here are a few examples:

Deception Pass Bridge

The Deception Pass Bridge is one of Washington's most famous landmarks. It connects Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island near Anacortes. Built between 1934 and 1935, this bridge is a steel deck arch type. It's known for its stunning views and for being a key part of the scenic Deception Pass State Park. Imagine how challenging it must have been to build such a bridge over the fast-moving waters of Deception Pass!

Deception pass bridge
The famous Deception Pass Bridge.

Grays River Covered Bridge

Have you ever seen a covered bridge? The Grays River Covered Bridge is a rare and beautiful example in Washington. It was built in 1905 and 1908 in Grays River. This bridge is a timber Howe truss type, which means it's made of wood and has a special pattern of beams. The roof and sides protect the wooden structure from rain and snow, helping it last longer. It's like a cozy tunnel for cars!

Grays River Covered Bridge
The historic Grays River Covered Bridge.

Murray Morgan Bridge (Tacoma)

The Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma is a cool example of a Vertical-lift bridge. Built in 1911, this bridge can actually lift its middle section straight up to let tall ships pass underneath. It's a busy bridge that connects downtown Tacoma with the port area, and it's been an important part of the city's transportation for over a century.

Murraymorgan
The Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma.

Fremont Bridge (Seattle)

In Seattle, the Fremont Bridge is a bright blue landmark. It's a bascule bridge, which means it has two sections that can tilt upwards, like a seesaw, to let boats through. Built in 1917, it's one of the busiest drawbridges in the world, opening thousands of times a year. It's a fun sight to see it open up!

Fremont Bridge 5
The Fremont Bridge in Seattle.

Nutty Narrows Bridge

Not all historic bridges are for cars or trains! The Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview is a very unique "pseudo-suspension pipe squirrel bridge" built in 1963. Yes, it's a bridge specifically for squirrels! It was built to help squirrels cross a busy street safely. It's a charming example of how people can be creative to help local wildlife.

Squirrel Bridge - Closeup
The Nutty Narrows Bridge, built for squirrels!

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Ruins (Galloping Gertie)

The original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed "Galloping Gertie," was a suspension bridge that opened in 1940. Sadly, it famously collapsed just a few months later due to strong winds, which caused it to sway violently. Even though it collapsed, its remains are still listed as historic because its story taught engineers a lot about bridge design and wind forces. It's a reminder that even failures can be important lessons in history.

GertieRemains 1
The remains of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Other Notable Bridges and Tunnels

Many other bridges and tunnels in Washington are on the National Register of Historic Places. They include:

  • The 12th Avenue South Bridge in Seattle, a steel deck arch bridge built in 1911-1912.
  • The Agate Pass Bridge near Suquamish, a cantilever bridge from 1950.
  • The George Washington Memorial Bridge (also known as the Aurora Avenue Bridge) in Seattle, built in 1931.
  • The Blue Bridge (Pioneer Memorial Bridge) connecting Kennewick and Pasco, a steel arch bridge from 1954.
  • The Chinook Pass Entrance Arch, a timber arch built in 1936, marking an entrance to a beautiful mountain pass.
  • The Christine Falls Bridge and Narada Falls Bridge, both reinforced concrete arch bridges built in the late 1920s in scenic areas near Paradise.
  • The High Steel Bridge near Shelton, a steel arch bridge from 1929, known for its impressive height.
  • The Lewis and Clark Bridge (Longview Bridge), a cantilever through truss bridge built in 1929-1930 connecting Longview.
  • The Monroe Street Bridge in Spokane, a reinforced concrete arch bridge from 1911.
  • The Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel in Seattle, a tunnel built in 1940.
  • The University Bridge in Seattle, another bascule bridge built in 1915-1919.
  • The Vance Creek Bridge near Shelton, a steel arch bridge from 1929.
  • The Interstate Bridge (Vancouver-Portland Bridge), a vertical-lift bridge built between 1915 and 1917, connecting Washington and Oregon.
  • The Yale Bridge near Yale, a suspension bridge built in 1932.

Removed Historic Bridges

Some bridges that were once on the National Register of Historic Places have since been removed. This can happen if they are replaced, dismantled, or collapse. Even though they are gone, their history is still important. Examples include:

  • The South Park Bridge in Seattle, a bascule bridge from 1931 that was dismantled and replaced.
  • The original Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge in Seattle, a pontoon bridge from 1940 that was removed in 1991.
  • The Pasco–Kennewick Bridge, a cantilever through truss bridge from 1922 that was removed in 1990.

These bridges and tunnels tell the story of how people have built connections across rivers, valleys, and even for squirrels, showing amazing engineering and design over the years in Washington State!

Images for kids

  • Seattle - 12th Ave Bridge 01

    12th Avenue South Bridge

  • South Park Bridge in Seattle

    South Park Bridge

  • Agate pass1

    Agate Pass Bridge

  • Seattle - Arboretum Bridge 04

    Arboretum Sewer Trestle

  • Aurora Bridge from Fremont Bridge

    George Washington Memorial Bridge

  • Ballard Bridge from Seattle Maritime Academy 01

    Ballard Bridge

  • Milwaukee Road Bridge, Beverly WA

    Beverly Railroad Bridge

  • Blue Bridge over the Columbia River

    Blue Bridge

  • Chinook Pass Entrance Arch

    Chinook Pass Entrance Arch

  • Christine Falls

    Christine Falls Bridge

  • Columbia River Bridge at Bridgeport

    Columbia River Bridge at Bridgeport

  • Columbia River Bridge at Kettle Falls, U.S. Route 395 spanning Columbia River, Kettle Falls vicinity (Stevens County, Washington)

    Columbia River Bridge at Kettle Falls

  • Columbia River Bridge At Northport NRHP 95000624 Stevens County, WA

    Columbia River Bridge at Northport

  • George Sellars Bridge, Wenatchee, WA

    Columbia River Bridge at Wenatchee

  • Cowen Park Bridge 05 - colormapped

    Cowen Park Bridge

  • Curlew bridge 01a

    Curlew Bridge

  • Devilscorner

    Devil's Corner Cliff Walk

  • Dungeness River Bridge

    Dungeness River Bridge

  • East 34th Street Bridge

    East 34th Street Bridge

  • F Street Bridge

    F Street Bridge

  • Fairfax Bridge

    Fairfax Bridge

  • Grande Ronde River Bridge. SR 129, Washington

    Grande Ronde River Bridge

  • Grand Coulee Bridge

    Grand Coulee Bridge

  • High Steel Bridge (5)

    High Steel Bridge

  • Hoquiam, WA - Simpson Avenue Bridge

    Hoquiam River Bridge

  • Indian Timothy Bridge

    Indian Timothy Memorial Bridge

  • Snowshed Bridge

    Lake Keechelus Snowshed Bridge

  • Lewis&ClarkBridge

    Lewis and Clark Bridge

  • Manning-Rye Bridge

    Manning-Rye Covered Bridge

  • McMillin Bridge Top View

    McMillin Bridge

  • Monroe Street Bridge 20070217

    Monroe Street Bridge

  • Montlake Bridge - 1

    Montlake Bridge

  • Murrow Memorial Bridge 07747

    Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel

  • Narada Falls Bridge

    Narada Falls Bridge

  • North 21st Street Bridge

    North 21st Street Bridge

  • North 23rd Street Bridge railing

    North 23rd Street Bridge

  • North Hamma Hamma River Bridge

    North Hamma Hamma River Bridge

  • Orient Bridge, Spanning Kettle River at Richardson Road, Orient, (Ferry County, Washington)

    Orient Bridge

  • Purdy Bridge

    Purdy Bridge

  • Ravenna Park 02

    Ravenna Park Bridge

  • Milwaukee Road bridge at Rosalia

    Rosalia Railroad Bridge

  • Seattle - Schmitz Park Bridge 01

    Schmitz Park Bridge

  • Snake River Bridge WA

    Snake River Bridge

  • South Hamma Hamma River Bridge

    South Hamma Hamma River Bridge

  • South Puyallup River Bridge

    South Puyallup River Bridge

  • Spokane River Bridge at Fort Spokane

    Spokane River Bridge at Fort Spokane

  • Spokane River Bridge at Long Lake Dam

    Spokane River Bridge at Long Lake Dam

  • St Andrews Creek Bridge

    St. Andrews Creek Bridge

  • Sunset Boulevard Bridge

    Sunset Boulevard Bridge

  • University Bridge-1

    University Bridge

  • Vance Creek bridge

    Vance Creek Bridge

  • Interstate Bridge

    Interstate Bridge

  • Spokane Washington Street Bridge

    Washington Street Bridge

  • White River Bridge

    White River Bridge

  • Winnifred Street Bridge

    Winnifred Street Bridge

  • Yale Bridge, State Route 503 Spanning Lewis River, Yale vicinity (Cowlitz County, Washington)

    Yale Bridge

  • Lacey V. Murrow Bridge construction

    Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge construction

  • McClure Bridge, Spanning North Fork of Palouse River on Altergott , Palouse vicinity (Whitman County, Washington)

    McClure Bridge

  • Pasco-Kennewick Bridge

    Pasco–Kennewick Bridge

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List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.