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. 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 Brown’s 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

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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′ 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 the 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,

on 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lowden’s Wagon Road (approx. 1½ miles away); The Seven Bridges of Douglas City (approx. 2 miles away); Reading’s Bar (approx. 2.9 miles away); Race Track – Airport – Golf Course

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 24, 2013

2. Steel Bridge Marker

(approx. 3.2 miles away); Hamilton’s Store (approx. 3½ miles away); Anvil Firing (approx. 4 miles away); Isabella Hoffman Martin - Queen of Grudges (approx. 4 miles away); Lee Family Ranch House (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglas City.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the Bureau of Land Management Steel Bridge Recreation Area off of Steel Bridge Road.

The bridge pillars are all that remain of the Steel Bridge image. Click for full size.

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 1,028 times since then and 84 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.