Penn Valley in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge
October 22, 2006
1. Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge Marker
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 390
Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Nevada County Historical Society and the Wm B. Meek -- Wm M. Stewart Chapter No. 10, E Clampus Vitus, May 23, 1964.
Erected 1964 by California State Park Commission, Nevada County Historical Society, Wm B. Meek -- Wm M. Stewart Chapter No. 10, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 390.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Covered Bridges, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1862.
Location. 39° 17.519′ N, 121° 11.705′ W. Marker is in Penn Valley, California, in Nevada County. Marker can be reached from Pleasant Valley Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Penn Valley CA 95946, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
More about this marker. There are three markers for the bridge, two on the south end and one on the north end. See nearby markers for more information.
Regarding Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge. Bridgeport is one of only 10 covered bridges remaining in California. The bridge is in very good condition considering its age. Built in 1862, at 251 feet, it is the longest single span covered bridge in the United States.
The type of construction is unique, a Howe truss with an auxiliary Burr arch. The arch is visible from the outside as well as the inside, consisting of two five by fourteen inch timbers bolted together, squeezing between them the members of the truss. This combination, made
Photographed By Marc Belanger, December 25, 2022
2. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark - Bridgeport Covered Bridge
The Sugar Pine shake roofing and sides not only protect the timber from the weather, but contribute an air of historic antiquity which attracts many visitors to see and photograph it.
In 1853, the California Legislature authorized the formation of "Turnpike Companies" that would build roads and bridges and maintain and operate them as business ventures. County governments were newly formed and generally without funds to build or maintain the many roads and bridges, thus creating the need for the "Turnpike Companies". Tolls were approved by the local county Boards of Supervisors.
The Virginia Turnpike Company, organized in 1856, by David I. Wood, arranged for construction of the toll road from a point near the Anthony House (under present day Lake Wildwood), to French Corral, a distance of 10 miles. The later became a portion of the heavily traveled route between Marysville and Virginia City.
The bridge was built under the direction of Mr. Wood. The lumber was produced by his sawmill
Photographed By Karen Key, October 16, 2009
3. Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge Marker
On a 10/16/2009 visit, I noticed that the plaque from the marker is missing.
The Bridgeport Covered Bridge was acquired by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in 1986, and is now the centerpiece of the South Yuba River State Park.
The bridge is both a State and National Historic Landmark. It is truly a living memorial to the high degree of individual initiative and private enterprise which was such a driving force in 19th century California.
(Source: Nevada County Gold, The Official Online Guide to Nevada County http://www.ncgold.com/index.html)
Additional commentary.
1. Missing Plaque
The plaque for Nyes Crossing fell off of it's mounting and it currently in the possesion of the rangers office. The local chapter of ECV (the same chapter 10 that mounted the plaque in the first place) offered to remount it however the ranger in charge of the bridge has some disputes with the wording on the plaque and requested a change. Chapter 10 is unwilling to revise the history and research already performed, and to this day the plaque remains unmounted.
— Submitted March 1, 2010, by Jason A. Thorn of Penn Valley, California.
Jet Lowe, for the Historic American Engineering Record, 1984
4. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
View is looking east, toward the newer Pleasant Valley Road bridge.
In October 2014 this marker was replaced by California State Parks with a grant from the Native Sons of the Golden West Historical Preservation Foundation. It is now titled (and filed under) Bridgeport Historic District.
— Submitted October 27, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.
Photographed By Laura Bell, March 31, 2008
5. View inside the Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Photographed By Pam Muzyka Dixon, August 18, 2007
6. Old Toll Charges
Photographed By Marc Belanger, December 25, 2022
7. Bridgeport Covered Bridge ASCE Marker
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,727 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 12, 2023, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. 3. submitted on October 31, 2009, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 25, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 7. submitted on March 12, 2023, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Readable photograph of the replacement marker. • Can you help?
