Near Douglas City in Trinity County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Steel Bridge
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2013
1. Steel Bridge Marker
Inscription.
Steel Bridge. . The Union Hill Mines, which began in 1862, were located up the western slope of Union Hill from the mouth of Weaver Creek, at the head of Union Gulch. It was one of the largest placer mines in Trinity County. Water was ditched from Weaver Creek and Little Browns Creek. In 1904, Peter M. Paulsen acquired control of enough claims, that he constructed a 15 mile long ditch from Grass Valley Creek, collecting water from Sawmill and Tom Lang Gulches. Paulsen constructed a 165 bridge on two concrete piers to support a 5,000 siphon through a 30” pipe with the outlet end dropping 300 in elevation into a 6.5 x 4.5 x 570 long tunnel that emptied into the upper holding pond at the mine. The overcantilever and flat steel bridge was wide enough for the pipe and a wagon. Paulsen sold to Trinity Consolidated Mining Co. in 1911. In 1921, Tacitus R. Arbuckle leased the mine, ceasing continuous operation, in 1928. The bridge was dismantled for scrap at the beginning of world war two.
The Union Hill Mines, which began in 1862, were located up the western slope of Union Hill from the mouth of Weaver Creek, at the head of Union Gulch. It was one of the largest placer mines in Trinity County. Water was ditched from Weaver Creek and Little Browns Creek. In 1904, Peter M. Paulsen acquired control of enough claims, that he constructed a 15 mile long ditch from Grass Valley Creek, collecting water from Sawmill and Tom Lang Gulches. Paulsen constructed a 165 bridge on two concrete piers to support a 5,000 siphon through a 30” pipe with the outlet end dropping 300 in elevation into a 6.5 x 4.5 x 570 long tunnel that emptied into the upper holding pond at the mine. The overcantilever and flat steel bridge was wide enough for the pipe and a wagon. Paulsen sold to Trinity Consolidated Mining Co. in 1911. In 1921, Tacitus R. Arbuckle leased the mine, ceasing continuous operation, in 1928. The bridge was dismantled for scrap at the beginning of WW II.
Erected 2013 by E Clampus Vitus, Trinitarianus Chapter 62 and Bureau of Land Management.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 40° 40.471′
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N, 122° 55.135′ W. Marker is near Douglas City, California, in Trinity County. It can be reached from Steel Bridge Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglas City CA 96024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Shasta Cascade, on the Coast Ranges, and in the Klamath Mountains. It is also in the American Mountain West and specifically in the Pacific Northwest. 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.
More about this marker. This marker is located at the Bureau of Land Management Steel Bridge Recreation Area off of Steel Bridge Road.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2013
2. Steel Bridge Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2013
3. The bridge pillars are all that remain of the Steel Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,008 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
