Nutty Narrows Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nutty Narrows Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 46°08′29″N 122°56′26″W / 46.141469°N 122.940494°W |
| Carries | Squirrels |
| Crosses | Olympia Way |
| Locale | Longview, WA |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Stressed ribbon bridge in imitation of a Suspension Bridge |
| Material | fire hose and unknown metals |
| Total length | 60 feet |
| History | |
| Designer | Amos Peters, Robert Newhall, and LeRoy Dahl |
| Constructed by | Amos Peters |
| Construction end | 1963 |
| Opened | 1963 |
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Nutty Narrows Bridge
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| Location | Longview, Washington, spanning Olympia Way between 18th Avenue and Maple Street |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000500 |
| Added to NRHP | August 18, 2014 |
The Nutty Narrows Bridge is a special bridge just for squirrels in Longview, Washington. It's known as the "World's Narrowest Bridge." It's also called the "World's Narrowest Animal Crossing." A local councilwoman gave it the name "Nutty Narrows." She named it after the much larger Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
History of the Squirrel Bridge
Before this bridge was built, squirrels had a tough time. They had to run across a busy street called Olympia Way. They were trying to get to an office building for food. Then they had to cross back to a park with big trees. Many squirrels were getting hit by cars.
On March 19, 1963, a man named Amos Peters saw this problem. He wanted to help the squirrels cross safely. So, he decided to build a special sky-bridge for them. The first bridge was built over Olympia Way in downtown Longview.
The bridge was designed to look like a tiny suspension bridge. It was 60-foot-long (18 m). It was made from aluminum pipes and covered with an old fire hose. This fire hose made the roadway for the squirrels. The whole bridge cost about $1000 to build.
In 1983, Amos Peters took the bridge down for repairs. He replaced some parts and repainted its faded sign. When it was finished, the bridge had a special re-opening party. Famous cartoon characters Chip 'n' Dale and Mickey Mouse from Disneyland were there! About 300 children and important local people also came.
Amos Peters passed away in 1984. To remember him, a ten-foot tall wooden squirrel statue was placed near the bridge.
The Bridge Today
The trees that held the bridge were getting old and weak. So, in 2007, the bridge was moved. It went about 100 yards east. It now connects R.A. Long Park to the Longview Public Library. It still crosses over Olympia Way.
It was moved again in 2010. This was because its location was causing traffic problems. Its current spot is "three trees from its original place over Olympia Way." On July 25, 2013, the Longview City Council made the Nutty Narrows Bridge a historic place. It's also on the Washington State Heritage Register. In 2014, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
To help even more squirrels, two new bridges have been built. One is on Kessler Blvd. and the other is on Nichols Blvd.
Images for kids
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The bridge at its former location in 2008
