McKee Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McKee Bridge
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McKee Bridge over the Applegate River
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Built | 1917 |
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| Architect | Jason Hartman |
| Architectural style | Howe truss |
| MPS | Oregon Covered Bridges TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002074 |
| Listed | November 29, 1979 |
The McKee Bridge is a special covered bridge located in Jackson County, Oregon. It was built in 1917 on land given by Adelbert (Deb) McKee. He ran a stage station nearby. This bridge was very important for connecting the Blue Ledge Copper Mine to Jacksonville. It even had a rest stop for ore haulers and their horses.
The bridge is about 8 miles (13 km) north of the California border. It was used for mining and logging traffic until 1956. A small community called McKee Bridge is also located close by.
McKee Bridge: A Historic Oregon Landmark
Since 1956, local people have helped take care of the McKee Bridge. Sometimes, the government also helps with money. Today, only people walking can use the bridge; cars are not allowed. The McKee Picnic Ground is right next to the bridge. It is part of the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest. You can find the bridge and picnic area about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) south of Ruch.
What Makes McKee Bridge Special?
The McKee Bridge Historical Society is a group that works to keep the bridge in good shape. They say the bridge is 45 feet (14 m) tall. This makes it the tallest of the four covered bridges left in Jackson County. It is also the longest and the oldest of these four bridges.
Big Repairs for a Big Bridge
The McKee Bridge had to close completely for three years. This was because some parts of its structure were rotting. The roof was also damaged. In June 2015, the bridge finally reopened after major repairs.
The repairs cost about $600,000. This money came from the Federal Highway Administration. The McKee Bridge Historical Society also raised about $60,000 to help pay for the project. Mowat Construction Company, from Woodinville, Washington, did the repair work.
