Near Melba in Canyon County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Guffey Bridge Snake River Idaho
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
1. Guffey Bridge Snake River Idaho Marker
The historic Guffey Bridge is an elegant Parker-through truss railroad bridge, the State’s largest artifact, and the site of the most spectacular train wreck in Idaho. The Boise, Nampa and Owyhee Railroad (BNO), was organized by owner Col. Wm. Dewey to transport gold and silver ore from the Silver City mining district. The bridge was constructed between May 14 and Sept. 7, 1897. This 450 ton bridge was, by all accounts, the tallest in the U.S. for many years.
Unfortunately, the mines closed before the bridge was completed. Although it never hauled ore, shipments of livestock and other agricultural products kept the railway busy until 1947. The bridge saw more sheep and cattle transported across its span than any other in the west. The BNO railway was taken over by the Idaho Northern Railway in 1907, and absorbed by the Oregon Short Line in 1912, then a subsidiary of the Union Pacific.
After the line closed, the bridge was rescued from being sold for scrap. Canyon County Parks, Recreation and Waterways, Idaho State Historical Society, Idaho Military, Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Heritage Trust and the National
this page online
Erected 2012 by Canyon County Parks, Recreation and Waterways and the Snake River Chapter, No. 1811 E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1784.
Location. 43° 17.97′ N, 116° 31.334′ W. Marker is near Melba, Idaho, in Canyon County. Marker can be reached from Sinker Road. The marker is mounted on a boulder in main parking lot of Canyon County's Celebration Park. Celebration Park is on the Snake River, near Melba and south of Nampa, Idaho.
Heading west on I-84 take the Meridian/Kuna exit. Turn left onto S Meridian Rd. Continue onto E Avalon. Turn left onto Swan Falls Rd. Turn right onto Victory Ln. Continue onto Warren Spur Rd. Turn left onto Sinker Rd. Turn left at Historic
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
2. Guffey Bridge Snake River Idaho Marker (wide view)
Wide view of the marker shows nearby stone engraved "Dedicated to all Eagle Scouts who helped build Celebration Park". Guffey bridge is visible is in the distance, but obscured by the foreground brush from this angle.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Steamer "Shoshone" (approx. 5 miles away); Tower Theater (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Otter Massacre (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Murphy School House District 14 (approx. 6 miles away); War Eagle Mines (approx. 9.8 miles away); Diamond Gulch (approx. 9.8 miles away); Givens Springs (approx. 12.3 miles away); Givens Hot Springs (approx. 12.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melba.
Also see . . . Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area/Celebration Park.
This historic bridge is within the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). This park was established by Congress in 1993 to protect a unique desert environment that supports North America’s highest density of nesting raptors. More than 700 pairs of raptors nest each spring along 81 miles of the Snake River Canyon. (Submitted on May 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
3. Guffey Bridge
Wide view of Guffey Bridge, looking west from Celebration Park along the Snake River.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
4. Guffey Bridge (close view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
5. Guffey Bridge (pedestrian walkway)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
6. Guffey Bridge (Guffey Island view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2013
7. Guffey Bridge (Celebration Park Sign)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,536 times since then and 243 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 1, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
