The Oldest Covered Bridge In Oregon Has Been Around Since 1914
By Catherine Armstrong|Published November 06, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Oregon is home to more than 50 covered bridges. Each one is unique, and many are downright photo-worthy. We recently made a list of 11 of our favorite beautiful covered bridges, but we have so many more that we love! The oldest covered bridge in the Beaver State was built in 1914, and thanks to some loving attention from members in the community of Otis, it’s still around for you to visit.
You'll find the Drift Creek Bridge in Otis, along Bear Creek Road.
Drift Creek Bridge was originally built in 1914. It served as a thoroughfare for vehicles traveling along the coast. When a new route was established, Drift Creek Bridge was converted to a pedestrian bridge.
By the 1980s, the bridge was in bad shape. It was rotting away, and deemed unsafe. The community wanted to keep the bridge for its rich history, and Laura and Kerry Sweitz stepped up to offer a public easement for the bridge.
In 1997, the Drift Creek Bridge was dismantled, and the boards were given to the Sweitz family, who, with the help of community members in the town of Otis, rebuilt the bridge. It sits just eight miles from it's original home on Drift Creek.
Today, you'll find a sign inside the bridge that says, "Faith can build a bridge." It took a lot of hard work from volunteers, monetary donations from community members, and plenty of perseverance and faith, but the bridge was rebuilt.
The bridge sits on private property, spanning Bear Creek. It's closed to vehicle traffic (except for the family who lives on the other side of the bridge), but pedestrians are welcome to walk through the bridge and admire it.
The next time you're visiting the coast, seek out Drift Creek Bridge. Not only is it a beautiful piece of preserved history; it's a testament to what can happen when a community comes together.
