Vista Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vista Bridge |
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Viewed from Jefferson Street, towards downtown
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| Carries | Vista Avenue and pedestrians |
| Crosses | MAX Light Rail line and Jefferson Street/Canyon Road |
| Locale | Portland, Oregon |
| Maintained by | Multnomah County |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 248 ft |
| Height | 120 ft |
| History | |
| Opened | 1926 |
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Vista Avenue Viaduct
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Detail of light standards and benches mid-span, and view of downtown and east Portland
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
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| Location | 1200 SW Vista Avenue Portland, Oregon |
| Built | 1926 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003093 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1984 |
The Vista Bridge is a famous arch bridge in Portland, Oregon, United States. It's also officially known as the Vista Avenue Viaduct. This bridge helps cars and people cross over a deep valley. It connects the areas of King's Hill and Vista Ridge. These spots are part of the Goose Hollow neighborhood. Below the bridge, you'll find the MAX Light Rail line and busy streets like Jefferson Street and Canyon Road.
Contents
Exploring the Bridge's History
How the Canyon Was Formed
The valley that the Vista Bridge crosses was created by a stream called Tanner Creek. This area is known as the Tanner Creek Canyon. It's also where the name for Canyon Road comes from. Long ago, this road was even called "The Great Plank Road."
Starting in the 1870s, Tanner Creek was moved underground. This work finished in the early 1900s. The creek still flows hidden beneath the Vista Bridge today. It collects water from the nearby hills through storm drains. This water then flows into the Willamette River.
Design and Special Features
The Vista Bridge is 248-foot-long (76 m). It was designed by an architect named Fred T. Fowler. The bridge is made of concrete and has a special arch design. It was finished in 1926.
The bridge has four special spots for people to stop and look around. These are called "pedestrian balconies" or "refuge bays." They stick out from the sidewalk. Each balcony has concrete benches where you can sit and enjoy the view.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its importance, the Vista Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on April 26, 1984. It is listed as the Vista Avenue Viaduct. This means it's a special place that helps tell the story of the area.
The Bridge's Past and Pop Culture
From Streetcars to Modern Use
Before the current Vista Bridge, there was an older bridge called the Ford Street Bridge. It was built in 1903. This old bridge was part of a streetcar route. Streetcars used to travel all the way up to Council Crest Park. Council Crest was the highest point in Portland. It was a popular place with an amusement park and dance hall from 1907 to 1929.
Streetcars continued to cross the current Vista Bridge until 1950. After that, streetcar service stopped. The old tracks stayed on the bridge for about 40 more years. They were finally removed when the bridge was renovated.
The Vista Bridge in Movies and TV
The Vista Bridge has appeared in several movies and TV shows. In 1991, some bungee jump scenes were filmed there. This was for an advertisement for the Oregon Lottery.
The opening scenes of the 2004 movie What the Bleep Do We Know!? were filmed nearby. They included views of the Vista Bridge. In 2010, the main title picture for the TV show Portlandia was taken from the Vista Bridge.
Images for kids
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Detail of light standards and benches mid-span, and view of downtown and east Portland
