Goodpasture Covered Bridge Spared

WGN 37-20-10

 

September 25, 2015 Leaburg, Oregon - The devastating Holiday Farm Fire caused an incredible amout of damage in Lane County and beyond. The Goodpasture Covered Bridge came close to being consumed by the wildfires but was spared with only minor damage.

Though they were unsure that the bridge could be saved, the McKenzie Fire and Rescue and Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office worked to protect it from the fast moving fires. Protective foam was sprayed on the bridge in hopes of saving it. Fortunately, they were sucessful!

Here is a link to a video showing just how close the fire was to the bridge and the efforts to save it: Goodpasture Covered Bridge Being Saved.

However, this was not the bridge's first encounter with potential destruction. According the notes from the Covered Spans of Yesteryear website, the bridge was washed of its abutments during a flood in 1942 but was able to be restored.

The Goodpasture Covered Bridge was built in 1938 with a Howe truss to cross the McKenzie River in the Lane County town of Vida. The single-span bridge is 165 feet long. The Covered Spans of Yesteryear website says that it was named for the nearby Goodpasture family.

The following web link from KEZI.com contains the full story with a video: 'A TREASURE OF THE MCKENZIE': FIREFIGHTERS RECOUNT SAVING GOODPASTURE BRIDGE.