White River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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White River Bridge
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Nearest city | White River Entrance, Washington |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architectural style | Rustic style |
| MPS | Mt. Rainier National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000200 |
| Added to NRHP | March 13, 1991 |
The White River Bridge is a historic bridge built in 1929. It is located in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. This bridge was an important part of a project to build the Yakima Park Road. This new road helped people get to the northeastern part of the park more easily.
The bridge crosses the White River. It was designed to fit in with the natural beauty of the park. Today, it is recognized as a special part of American history and design.
Building the Bridge
The White River Bridge was built by a contractor named John D. Tobin. He was from Portland, Oregon. Mr. Tobin was experienced in building bridges in national parks. He had also built the Narada Falls Bridge and the Christine Falls Bridge. Both of these bridges are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The plans for the White River Bridge came from the National Park Service. Their Branch of Plans and Designs created the look for the bridge. A landscape architect named Ernest A. Davidson helped supervise the building.
A Special Design Style
The White River Bridge was built in a style called National Park Service Rustic. This style makes buildings and structures look like they are part of nature. They often use local materials like stone and wood. The goal is to blend in with the beautiful park surroundings.
The bridge has a special shape called a three-centered arch. This arch spans about 60 feet (18 meters) across the river. The bridge is made of concrete, but it has a stone face. This stone facing helps it look natural and rustic.
A Protected Landmark
The White River Bridge is a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 1991. This list includes places that are important to American history.
The bridge is also part of the Mount Rainier National Historic Landmark District. This district includes the entire park. It recognizes all the special buildings and structures designed by the National Park Service in the rustic style. These structures show how parks were designed to welcome visitors while protecting nature.
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. WA-53, "White River Bridge, Spanning White River at Yakima Park Highway, Longmire vicinity, Pierce County, WA"
