Terrebonne in Jefferson County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 21, 2015
1. The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge Marker
The Oregon Trunk Railway Bridge, constructed in 1911, was the first structure to cross this spectacular gorge. Prior to construction the only crossing of the Crooked River in this region was located about a mile upstream, where the canyon's sheer basalt walls begin tapering gradually into the surrounding landscape.
In the early 1900's, railroad tycoons James J. Hill of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway (SP&S) and Edward Harriman of the Union Pacific began a fierce battle to open central Oregon rail traffic. This battle, one of the greatest in railroad history, played out in the courts, where the SP&S triumphed. In the field, however, where night raids, dynamite, gunfire and fistfights were common, neither railroad triumphed. The Oregon Trunk Railway, a subsidiary of the SP&S, ran from Celilo Falls on the Columbia to Bend - James Hill was on hand in Bend on October 5, 1911 to drive a "Golden Spike" celebrating the line's official opening.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1904.
Location. 44° 23.464′ N, 121° 11.718′ W. Marker is in Terrebonne, Oregon, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Dalles-California Highway (U.S. 97 at milepost 114
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Crooked River (High) Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peter Skene Ogden (about 600 feet away); Oregon Scenic Highways (about 600 feet away); Peter Skene Ogden Park (about 700 feet away); A Bridge for the New Millenium (about 700 feet away); Colonel Rex T. Barber Memorial (about 700 feet away); Metolius Depot (approx. 13.6 miles away).
More about this marker. Located at the NW corner of the park along the walkway.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Crooked River Railroad Bridge. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 7, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Chris English, January 20, 2015
2. The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge Marker Text
Photographed By Chris English, January 20, 2015
3. The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge, January 2015
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 21, 2015
4. The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge Marker
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 21, 2015
5. The Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge
Postcard published by O. Hedlund , Madras, Ore., 1911
6. First Train to Cross Crooked River Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2015, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 161 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2015, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 6. submitted on January 27, 2018. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
