Near Chico in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Gianella Bridge

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, November 17, 2012

1. Gianella Bridge Marker

Inscription. Built cooperatively by Butte and Glenn Counties, 1908-1911. Designed by John B. Leonard (1864-1945), civil engineer, San Francisco. Built by Cotton Bros. and Co. Oakland. Recorded for the Historic American Engineering Record, 1984. Replaced and removed 1987.

Erected 1987 by Caltrans.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 39° 45.155′ N, 121° 59.534′ W. Marker is near Chico, California, in Butte County. It is at the intersection of Highway 32 and Gianella Road, on the right when traveling east on Highway 32. Located near the east end of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chico CA 95973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William Semple Green (approx. 4.1 miles away); Pioneer Homesite (approx. 4.6 miles away); William B. Ide’s Public Service (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Life and Times of John Bidwell (approx. 8 miles away); The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell (approx. 8 miles away); Rancho Del Arroyo Chico (approx. 8 miles away); Chico World War I Memorial

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(approx. 8.1 miles away); General John and Annie K. Bidwell Gravesite (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chico.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, November 17, 2012

2. Gianella Bridge Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, November 17, 2012

3. Gianella Bridge Marker

The New Gianella Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, November 17, 2012

4. The New Gianella Bridge

(Old) Gianella Bridge - View to Southeast, oblique view of upstream side of bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Asano, August 27, 1985

5. (Old) Gianella Bridge - View to Southeast, oblique view of upstream side of bridge

The Gianella Bridge is the oldest remaining highway swing bridge in California. It is important in local history for its relation to events in local economic and agricultural development. It is the work of John B. Leonard, one of the most important early 20th Century bridge engineers. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. - Historical American Engineering Record (1985)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,108 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on December 30, 2012. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 12, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on December 30, 2012. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.