Jordan Bridge at Pioneer Park LbNA #48182
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Add Location| Owner: | MamaWonder  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 14, 2009 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Stayton |
| County: | Marion |
| State: | Oregon |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Not yet found! |
|---|---|
| Last found: | N/A |
| Status: | a |
| Last edited: | Jun 14, 2009 |
Jordan Bridge sits in Stayton's Pioneer Park.
The original structure was built in 1937 spanning Thomas Creek in neighboring Linn County, east of Scio.
When Linn County decided to replace the span in 1986, Stayton residents asked if they could have the structure. Enlisting the help of numerous volunteers and Marine Corps reservists for the 6th Engineering Battalion in Salem, the span was dismantled, moved and rebuilt over the Salem Power Canal in Pioneer Park. The process took nearly two years, then there was a dedication ceremony in June 1988.
The bridge caught fire December 20th, 1994 at 2 a.m. when Christmas lights ignited the roof. In that week's edition of The Stayton Mail, the headlines read "A Community Dream in Ashes." There were pictures of the still-standing charred trusses. The city decided to demolish what remained of the bridge.
Throughout 1997 and 1998, local citizens raised funds and volunteers worked to construct a new covered bridge at the site. The new bridge was dedicated in September 1998.
The Jordon bridge is a Howe Truss design spanning 90 feet. Today it is a popular attraction, often used for wedding ceremonies, and the backdrop for family photos.
Clue:
Before you cross the covered bridge, read the plaque, then look at the bricks beneath your feet. These names represent a few of the MANY citizens who spent time and money to build this bridge, not just once but twice.
As you cross the bridge, look down at the lazy creek running underneath. At the other end, turn right and follow a gravel path. See another bridge? Take a minute to stand in the middle of this wooden foot bridge, take a picture of the covered bridge, then jump up and down. Try to walk across while someone else jumps up and down. Four generations of our family have enjoyed playing here.
Now turn back and follow the gravel path into the wilderness. About 1/4 mile on the left is a duck pond. (Nice place to watch wildlife but not to fish or swim. There are log monsters just under the surface waiting to grab legs and fish hooks.) The main trail ends in a rocky area next to the river. Sit on the bank, throw rocks in the river and watch the water go over the dam. Listen to the birds and to the sound of water all around you. When you've rested and enjoyed the beautiful scene, turn back towards the main trail but keep to the left on a smaller path. Watch out for frogs!
This trail follows the bank of the frog pond and then continues along the bank of a canal. Continue on until you find a nice place to have a seat. A little way after this is a major trail off to the right. If you enjoy bird watching, you should take a detour down this trail. Just on your right are two large snags where woodpeckers love to hang out. Then go back to the trail along the water and keep heading west. Close to the end of the grassy bank find a small trail to the right into the bushes. (Right now the salmonberries are ripe.)
Soon after you enter through the bushes you will need to step over some roots. Turn to the right and you will see two small tree trunks running parallel along the ground. What you seek is between these trunks covered by sticks and leaves.
After you re-hide the box (better than you found it) you can either turn back the way you came, or you can take the very short, muddy, path ahead of you that goes right back to the bridge. WATCH OUT FOR STINGING NETTLES.
Hike: ~1 mile
The original structure was built in 1937 spanning Thomas Creek in neighboring Linn County, east of Scio.
When Linn County decided to replace the span in 1986, Stayton residents asked if they could have the structure. Enlisting the help of numerous volunteers and Marine Corps reservists for the 6th Engineering Battalion in Salem, the span was dismantled, moved and rebuilt over the Salem Power Canal in Pioneer Park. The process took nearly two years, then there was a dedication ceremony in June 1988.
The bridge caught fire December 20th, 1994 at 2 a.m. when Christmas lights ignited the roof. In that week's edition of The Stayton Mail, the headlines read "A Community Dream in Ashes." There were pictures of the still-standing charred trusses. The city decided to demolish what remained of the bridge.
Throughout 1997 and 1998, local citizens raised funds and volunteers worked to construct a new covered bridge at the site. The new bridge was dedicated in September 1998.
The Jordon bridge is a Howe Truss design spanning 90 feet. Today it is a popular attraction, often used for wedding ceremonies, and the backdrop for family photos.
Clue:
Before you cross the covered bridge, read the plaque, then look at the bricks beneath your feet. These names represent a few of the MANY citizens who spent time and money to build this bridge, not just once but twice.
As you cross the bridge, look down at the lazy creek running underneath. At the other end, turn right and follow a gravel path. See another bridge? Take a minute to stand in the middle of this wooden foot bridge, take a picture of the covered bridge, then jump up and down. Try to walk across while someone else jumps up and down. Four generations of our family have enjoyed playing here.
Now turn back and follow the gravel path into the wilderness. About 1/4 mile on the left is a duck pond. (Nice place to watch wildlife but not to fish or swim. There are log monsters just under the surface waiting to grab legs and fish hooks.) The main trail ends in a rocky area next to the river. Sit on the bank, throw rocks in the river and watch the water go over the dam. Listen to the birds and to the sound of water all around you. When you've rested and enjoyed the beautiful scene, turn back towards the main trail but keep to the left on a smaller path. Watch out for frogs!
This trail follows the bank of the frog pond and then continues along the bank of a canal. Continue on until you find a nice place to have a seat. A little way after this is a major trail off to the right. If you enjoy bird watching, you should take a detour down this trail. Just on your right are two large snags where woodpeckers love to hang out. Then go back to the trail along the water and keep heading west. Close to the end of the grassy bank find a small trail to the right into the bushes. (Right now the salmonberries are ripe.)
Soon after you enter through the bushes you will need to step over some roots. Turn to the right and you will see two small tree trunks running parallel along the ground. What you seek is between these trunks covered by sticks and leaves.
After you re-hide the box (better than you found it) you can either turn back the way you came, or you can take the very short, muddy, path ahead of you that goes right back to the bridge. WATCH OUT FOR STINGING NETTLES.
Hike: ~1 mile