Lake Oswego in Clackamas County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Lower Oswego Creek Bridge

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 29, 2018

1. Lower Oswego Creek Bridge Marker

Inscription.
"Charcoal haulers would cross the covered bridge and follow the trail along the river...."
Mary Goodall, Oregon's Iron Dream, (1958, p. 76)

At least four bridges have been built at the mouth of Oswego Creek and adjacent to Oswego Landing over the past 150 years. The earliest crossings gave travelers access to Old River Road on the west side of the Willamette River between Oswego and Willamette Falls. In the 1860s a beam bridge invited foot, horse, and buggy traffic In 1885 a hefty Howe Truss bridge stood parallel to the older beam structure and served the town's booming population and iron industry.

By 1911 the truss bridge, pictured here, was covered with a roof and wails for protection from the elements and remained in use until the concrete Pacific Highway Bridge of 1920 was completed. Thereafter the covered bridge was used by those on foot until it rotted and collapsed in the 1930s. Following World War II a replacement was built and used until 1975 when it became unstable and was removed by the National Guard. The bridge you now see was erected by the City of Lake Oswego and beckons you to stroll along the banks of the Willamette.

Erected 2010 by Oswego Heritage Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 45° 24.629′ N,

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122° 39.645′ W. Marker is in Lake Oswego, Oregon, in Clackamas County. It is on Old River Road east of Green Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Oswego OR 97034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Willamette Valley

and in Greater Portland Area.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oswego Landing (a few steps from this marker); The First People (a few steps from this marker); Salamander (within shouting distance of this marker); the man from k̓ašxəʼkšix returned with eels to feed his people (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iron Company Worker's Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Rogers House - 1929 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Oswego.

More about this marker. The bridge is found at the south end of

Lower Oswego Creek Bridge Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 29, 2018

2. Lower Oswego Creek Bridge Marker - Wide View

The marker is visible here at the left side of the bridge.

the lower parking lot in George Rogers Park.

Lower Oswego Creek Bridge: Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Lake Oswego Public Library, March 29, 2018

3. Lower Oswego Creek Bridge: Marker Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.