Bridgeport Covered Bridge, Nevada County, CA

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 390 Bridgeport (NYES Crossing) Covered Bridge

Park Office: (530) 432-2546
Region Gold Country, Nevada County

South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport
17660 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Penn Valley, CA
(530)432-2546

southyubariverstatepark.org

The Historic Covered Bridge and Barn turn 150 in 2012! Celebrate the Sesquicentennial Birthday with a three-day party taking place April 27-29, 2012. South Yuba River State Park is hosting a celebration at Bridgeport to include the 150 year anniversary of California's unique covered bridge which is 229 feet long, ranking as the longest single-span wooden covered bridge in existence. The Bridgeport Covered Bridge, also known as Nye's Crossing and Walker's Crossing, has three commemorative plaques dedicated in 1948, 1964 and 1973. It is both a California Historical Landmark and entry #71000168 in the National Register of Historic Places.

Bridgeport Bridge was built in 1862 by David Isaac John Wood with lumber from his mill in Sierra County. This bridge was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company toll road which served the northern mines and the busy Nevada Comstock Lode. Utilizing both truss and arch construction, it is the longest single-span wood-covered bridge in the United States and one of the oldest housed spans in the west.

The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is built with heavy timber trusses. It utilizes vertical iron rods to reinforce this solid structure. At one time it was able to support 15 tons, more weight than other such bridges.

The Virginia Turnpike and Bridgeport Covered Bridge were the established route for the heavy freight wagons on their way to the silver mines in Virginia City, Nevada, in addition to serving the northern gold fields of California.

Complimenting the Covered Bridge is the classic Dutch style Historic Barn constructed at the same time. It was used for animal stalls and pens, a hay storage loft, storage of farm equipment, and repairs to the wagons. In 2006 South Yuba River Park Association began the barn restoration project transforming the crumbling building into an interpretive exhibit featuring the Barn as a transportation center.

A 1927 Shell Gas Station is currently being restored by the group with a Shell pump, lubsters and store products used as a resort and store owned by Andrew Kneebone.

Address: W side of Pleasant Valley Rd at S Fork of the Yuba River 2.7 mi S of French Corral
USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: FRENCH CORRAL

South Yuba River SP (Bridgeport Covered Bridge built in 1862 by David I. Wood)

Covered Bridge
Shortly after the bridge was opened it was in constant motion day and night. Passenger and commercial traffic to the silver mines of Virginia City via the Henness Pass were willing to pay a fee to get there fast.

David Wood used lumber from his mill to build the bridge which is still the longest single-span wooden covered bridge in existence in the United States.