Touchet in Walla Walla County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Johnson Bridge
Historic Bridge
Photographed by Clayton Pickett, June 11, 2024
1. Johnson Bridge Marker
Constructed: 1929-1930
Replaced: 2007
The original cast-in-place concrete bridge built on this site was designed in 1928 by Walla Walla County Engineer E.R. Smith. Construction of the bridge started in 1929 and completed in the spring of 1930. The three span structure consisted of a 62'-6" main span with 23'-8" back spans on each end.
E.R. Smith used several simple but ingenious architectural design features to add aesthetic beauty to the bridge. The most notable feature he used was the forming of recessed panels on the face of the exterior girders. These panels were formed with the lower edge forming a parabolic arc. This feature helped to create the illusion that the bridge was an arched structure. A similar feature has been incorporated into the bridge constructed in 2007.
Shown on this marked is a replica of the original bronze name plate that was installed on the bridge in 1929
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 46° 7.332′ N, 118° 38.996′ W. Marker is in Touchet, Washington,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Columbia Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of Walla Walla (approx. 5 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 5 miles away); French-Canadian Cabin Design (approx. 8.3 miles away); Hudson's Bay Company (approx. 8.3 miles away); Welcome to the Prince's Cabin (approx. 8.3 miles away); The Prince (approx. 8.3 miles away); Local Tribes (approx. 8.4 miles away); Frenchtown (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Touchet.
Photographed by Clayton Pickett, June 11, 2024
2. Johnson Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
