Near Nevada City in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Purdon Bridge

1895

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2011

1. Purdon Bridge Marker

Inscription. Built by Cotton Brothers of Oakland, this steel bridge replaced several wooden bridges washed away in floods. It is the only bridge of the half-through truss design remaining in California. Purdon Crossing was a vital link of the main road from Nevada City to Downieville and the Northern Mines.

Erected 1998 by E Clampus Vitus, Wm. Bull Meek – Wm. Morris Stewart, Chapter No. 10.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 39° 19.646′ N, 121° 2.804′ W. Marker is near Nevada City, California, in Nevada County. Marker is on Purdon Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the South Yuba River approximately 9 miles north of Highway 49. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20198 Purdon Road, Nevada City CA 95959, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sheriff David Fulton Douglass (approx. 3.6 miles away); North San Juan Fire Department (approx. 4.2 miles away); Hydraulic Mining (approx. 4.2 miles away); Wells Fargo & Company / North San Juan - 1853

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(approx. 4.3 miles away); Old North San Juan School (approx. 4.3 miles away); American Hill Diggings (approx. 4.3 miles away); North San Juan United Methodist Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Pioneer Emigrant Trail (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nevada City.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2011

2. Purdon Bridge Marker

The bridge crosses over the South Yuba River.

The Purdon Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2011

3. The Purdon Bridge

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2011

4. The Purdon Bridge

Purdon Crossing Bridge image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

5. Purdon Crossing Bridge

Historic American Engineering Records
HAER CAL,29-NEVCI.V,1-

The South Yuba River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2011

6. The South Yuba River.

Edwards Crossing Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 3, 2011

7. Edwards Crossing Bridge

The Edwards Crossing Bridge is located to the east of the Purdon Bridge on the North Bloomfield Road. It was registered as Nevada County Historical Landmark 95-03 on September 19, 1995. "Description: Edwards Crossing Bridge "Built in 1904 by the the American Bridge Company of steel-connected-pin design to replace a wooden structure built in 1862 by Willian Edwards. In 1854, Edwards began operations here with a ferry, and in 1855 he built a bridge and tool road between Blue Tent and Lake City. His first bridge washed away in December 1861, and was replaced the following year. The county acquired the bridge sometime after 1880." Exploring Nevada County by Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,062 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on July 26, 2011. 6, 7. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.