Foster Covered Bridge, gone, but not forgotten

The Foster Covered Bridge crossed the South Santiam River on the north side of Foster, Oregon. It crossed the river on the road to Quartzville.

Foster Covered Bridge

From my personal collection of 35mm slides, exact year unknown

The original bridge was built in 1940 at a total cost of $13,000 and was actually two spans with a center support pier. Both were built with the standard Linn County Howe Truss system. The first span was 135 feet long and the second was 105 feet long. Since it had two spans, it also had two World Guide Numbers, 37-22-11 and 37-22-12.

Unfortunately the bridge was burned down in 1966 to make room for the Foster Dam to create Foster Lake. As far as I can tell, this location is now under water.

Foster Covered Bridge

The Foster Covered Bridge from 1942

Foster Covered Bridge from 1960

Foster Covered Bridge from 1960

Last two photos are by Photographer Ben Maxwell and belong to the Oregon Historic Photograph Collection in Salem Oregon

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