Gilkey Covered Bridge, Oregon (Thomas Creek)
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The Gilkey Covered Bridge crosses Thomas Creek roughly three miles south east of the town of Scio. At one time the Southern Pacific Railroad running next to the roadway was also a covered bridge. But that was removed in 1960 for unknown reasons. A train station was built in 1880 at this location and eventually grew into the small town of Gilkey Station. A wooden history sign that talked about the town was posted nearby, but seems to be missing when I visited in the Spring of 2013.
Gilkey Covered Bridge Oregon
The Gilkey Covered Bridge is in the typical Linn County design, with rounded portals and open sides. It was built in 1939 and repaired again in 1998 after a heavy load damaged it. Both the Gilkey Covered Bridge, and the railroad bridge next to it show signs of flooding on Thompson Creek. But any signs of the town are long gone.
When we visited in the spring, the normally gleaming white paint is showing signs of the long winter. Moss and algae cover the bridge, but no doubt it’ll be cleaned once the weather gets a little better.
Directions: From Scio, Oregon, head west on Robinson Drive. Take a left on Goar Road, and follow to covered bridge. Ghost town of Gilkey Station was nearby.
Gilkey Bridge is on Thomas Creek not thompson
Thanks for catching that Dianna, I fixed it!