The bridge is well over a hundred years old, and it has withstood numerous floods on the Eel River... read more
The bridge is well over a hundred years old, and it has withstood numerous floods on the Eel River... read more
Old concrete bridge, obviously well designed for its time, it has withstood floods that apparently... read more
In September it was not possible to get there as there are road works/repairs going on - check with the Visitors Centre before you set out.
If you're going to Ferndale, you'll cross this bridge, just as people have been doing for over a century.
We stopped on the west side of the bridge, on the north side of the highway, where there is a gravel parking lot. We walked about 100 yards or so to the edge of the Eel River so we could see the bridge from below.
What a graceful design it is! When the Fernbridge bridge was opened in 1911, it was called "Queen of the Bridges" and I can see why. The supports are absolutely massive in size, but yet still look elegant. This bridge proved to be amazingly sturdy over time, even surviving the devastating 1964 flood, called the "1,000 year flood". Every other bridge in the entire area was heavily damaged or destroyed, yet this bridge is still in great condition.
If you appreciate wonderful old bridges, take a few moments and walk down under the Fernbridge bridge!