Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

The entrance (R) to the BRIDGE OF THE GODS is at 146 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], this is a cantilever toll bridge (cars, 50c; good for return within three hours) spanning the river just west of Cascade Locks, and occupies a place where, according to Indian legend, a natural bridge at one time arched the river. This bridge, they say, was cast into the river when Tyhee Sahale, the Supreme Being, became angry with his two sons, who had quarreled over the beautiful Loo wit, guardian of a sacred flame on the bridge. The two sons and the girl, crushed in the destruction of the bridge, whose debris created the Cascades, were resurrected as Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. This legend is used by Frederic Homer Balch in his romance, The Bridge of the Gods.

"In 1920, the US War Department issued a construction permit for the bridge to the Interstate Construction Corporation. By 1925, the company had managed only to construct one pier. Wauna Toll Bridge Company purchased Interstate’s interest in the bridge in October 1926 at a cost of $602,077. The finished structure has a cantilever main span of 707’9″, with 211’8″ anchor arms. The total cantilever structure length is 1,131 feet and overall bridge length is 1,858 feet, with a width of 35 feet. The original bridge had a wooden deck and was 91 feet above the river."

When Bonneville Dam was constructed, the bridge was raised considerably to accommodate the higher water level. Details later...

"The 1938 completion of Bonneville Dam necessitated raising the bridge 44′ to accommodate the rise in backwater. Congress allotted funding for the project which was completed in 1940 for $762,276."

Cheri Dohnal, Columbia River Gorge: Natural Treasure on the Old Oregon Trail

The man-made Bridge of the Gods spans the Columbia River at the approximate location of the legendary natural bridge near Cascade Locks, a short distance upriver from Bonneville Dam. In fact, the northern pilings are secured in remnants of the natural bridge. Many of the boulders that made up part of the once-dreaded rapids on the Columbia were blasted into much smaller pieces with dynamite when the new dam and locks were constructed. Although most of the river's original features were lost to the rising waters, the stone masonry of the old canal at Cascade Locks can still be seen.

Ever a Natural Bridge? Maybe. More later...

CLICK HERE for more information on the BONNEVILLE SLIDE

Links

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the Columbia River Highway

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the Evergreen Highway