Skip Navigation

News

  • May
    24
    2016

    County Celebrates 100 Year Anniversay of the Gallon House Bridge

    Posted by: Board of Commissioners Office

    The Marion County Board of Commissioners will hold a rededication ceremony celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Gallon House Bridge. The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at 1:30 p.m. at the bridge. The commissioners will unveil new bridge signage and an information kiosk noting the anniversary. The commissioners proclaimed 2016 as the "Year of the Gallon House Bridge." The public is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Marion County Public Works at (503) 365-3177 or email mcdpw@co.marion.or.us.

    History

    Construction of a wood covered bridge in the area is referenced as far back as the 1870's.  Marion County built the Gallon House Bridge over Abiqua Creek in in 1916 at a cost of $1,310. It is the county's oldest bridge, the last remaining of four covered bridges, and the oldest extant covered bridge in the state. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. 

    The Gallon House Bridge was so-named because of its proximity to a local "gallon house" that reportedly sold bootleg spirits in the early decades of the 20th century. On June 6, 1904, Oregon voters approved the Local Option Act that allowed each city to ban the sale of alcohol. Silverton citizens subsequently voted to be "dry," while Mt. Angel voters chose to be "wet" and allow the sale of alcohol. According to local folklore, an enterprising saloon owner erected a small house on the north end of the bridge and stocked it with liquor. Residents of Silverton who wanted to partake walked to the bridge, crossed it to the Mt. Angel side and purchased a bottle, jug, or fruit jar and returned home. Folks got around the law by selling the gallon jugs, but "giving away" the spirits. When the Volstead Act created Prohibition across the county, the liquor trade in both towns went underground.

    Despite being swept off its footings and suffering considerable damage, the bridge survived the Flood of 1964, considered one of the worst to affect the Willamette River covering 152,789 acres. The Board of Commissioners decided the bridge should be repaired and maintained as an historic landmark. Fortunately, Marion County road maintenance crews were able to set it back in place. In 1985, county road crews repaired the bridge to accept traffic up to a 10-ton limit. The portals were hinged to allow them to be opened for taller loads when necessary. In 1990, because of its poor structural condition, the bridge was rehabilitated and the hinged portals removed.

    The Gallon House Bridge is also listed on the World Guide to Covered Bridges and in the Library of Congress National Covered Bridges Recording Project as "Significant" as the last covered bridge in Marion County and the oldest extant covered bridge in the state of Oregon. 

    For directions to the Gallon House Bridge and for more information about the rededication ceremony and other events, please visit www.gallonhousebridge.net

    County Celebrates 100 Year Anniversay of the Gallon House Bridge
​​​​​ View All News