Weddle Bridge facts for kids
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Weddle Bridge
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Weddle Covered Bridge
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sweet Home, Oregon, United States |
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| Built | 1937 (1990) |
| Architectural style | Howe truss |
| MPS | Oregon Covered Bridges TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002114 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1979 |
| Removed from NRHP | January 11, 1989 |
The Weddle Bridge is a 120-foot (37 m) long wooden covered bridge located in Sweet Home, Oregon, United States. It's a special kind of bridge with walls and a roof, which helps protect its wooden parts from weather. This bridge has an interesting history, including being moved to a new home and being saved by people who cared about it.
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The Story of Weddle Bridge
The Weddle Bridge was first built in 1937. It used to cross a stream called Thomas Creek near a town called Scio. But in 1980, a new concrete bridge was built to replace it. This meant the old wooden bridge was no longer needed. By 1987, there were plans to tear it down.
Saving the Bridge
Many people in the area loved the old bridge and wanted to save it. Local activists, who are people who work to make changes they believe in, started protesting. They wanted to stop the bridge from being destroyed. They even convinced Mae Yih, who was a senator (a type of elected leader) in Oregon, to help.
Because of these efforts, the Oregon Legislative Assembly (which is like the state's law-making group) created a special program. This program was called the Oregon Covered Bridge Program. It was designed to help pay for fixing up old covered bridges all over the state. The Weddle Bridge was the very first bridge to get money from this new program.
Moving the Bridge to a New Home
In 1989, the Weddle Bridge got a new life. A group from Sweet Home called the Cascade Forest Resource Center helped rebuild it. They used the money from the state program and also funds raised by local people. The bridge was moved to Sankey Park and now crosses Ames Creek.
Other groups also helped with this big project. The Covered Bridge Society of Oregon raised more money. The Jordan Bridge Company, which builds bridges, also helped. They had built another famous bridge in Stayton.
Bridge Repairs and Uses
In 2005, the Weddle Bridge needed some repairs. Engineers checked it and found that parts needed fixing. To pay for these repairs, money came from the Oregon Jamboree, a country music festival. Many businesses and people also donated money or building materials.
Today, the Weddle Bridge is used for many public events. For example, it has hosted fundraisers to help people with breast cancer. It's also a popular spot for private events, like weddings.
What the Bridge Looks Like
The original bridge was named after a farmer who lived nearby, Mr. Weddle. It was also sometimes called the Devaney Bridge after another early resident. The Weddle Bridge is built with a special design called a Howe truss. This is a strong way to build a bridge using a pattern of triangles. It also has rounded openings at each end, large openings along its sides, and white wooden siding that looks like vertical planks.
