Near Smartsville in Yuba County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar
1913 - 1994
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 7, 2012
1. The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar Marker
William M. Thomas of Thomas and Post Consulting Engineers designed the 685-foot-long Parks Bar Bridge in 1912 for Yuba County. The original 16-foot-wide bridge with four 140-foot-long arch spans was constructed by the Portland Concrete Pile Company in 1912-13. The bridge was widened to 22 feet in 1924. It was removed in 1994 after a new bridge was built downstream.
William Thomas established himself as a leader in early reinforced concrete bridge design by developing the "Thomas System." This system consisted of precast construction, three-hinge arches and open spandrels. Each arch had three flexible connections: one on each base and one joining the arch halves in the middle. Open spandrels (triangular spaces between the arches and the deek) added to the beauty of the bridge.
Over time, the river bed lowered and eroded the bridge's base. Undermining of the footings hastened replacement of this impressive early example of the "Thomas System."
This bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1984
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 39° 13.17′ N, 121° 20.005′ W. Marker is near Smartsville, California, in Yuba County. It is on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Timbuctoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Sucker Flat (approx. 1.9 miles away); Church of the Immaculate Conception (approx. 2.1 miles away); Smartsville Grocery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Smartville/Smartsville (approx. 2.1 miles away); Edward James McGanney (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Timbuctoo (approx. 2.7 miles away); Mooney Flat Hotel (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smartsville.
Also see . . . Parks Bar Bridge, Spanning Yuba River at State Highway 20, Smartville, Yuba County, CA. Library of Congress website entry:
Information regarding the bridge along with numerous photos of its construction and completion. (Submitted on April 8, 2012.)
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 7, 2012
2. The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar Marker
Bridge foundations are visible behind the marker.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 7, 2012
3. The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar Foundation Ruins
Library of Congress, circa 1913
4. The Yuba River Bridge at Parks Bar
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 7, 2012
5. View of the Replacement Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,871 times since then and 176 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2025, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
