Lost Creek Bridge
all photos © R&C Wrede

Lost Creek Bridge could very well be Oregon's oldest covered bridge.There is no dispute however, that it is our shortest, at just 39 feet. Records show it was built in 1919 but local residents put it somewhere in the late 1870's to early 1880's.(hence it would be the oldest.) It has a Queen post truss design, and is restored and open to foot traffic.

To get there, take highway 62 from Medford towards Crater Lake, turn east on highway 140 and follow it to the Lake Creek exit. From the town of Lake Creek, (just a mile or so from 140), go three and a half miles on South Fork Little Butte Road, then turn right on Lost Creek Road at the main concrete bridge crossing Lake Creek. The bridge is about half a mile down this dirt road.


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Lost Creek bridge The bridge no longer supports car traffic. This photo of the rear entrance of the bridge is taken from the road that runs parallel to it.
Lost Creek bridge
You can see the Queen Post interior support system in this photograph.
Lost Creek bridge Our son Chris is feeding a squirrel inside the bridge. We grownups also found something interesting inside the bridge, a guest book to sign. I was surprised at how many visitors showed up at this somewhat remote little bridge. I guessed an average of nine a day from all over the globe.
Lost Creek bridge
Another view of the inside.
Lost Creek bridge This is my favorite shot that Cheryl took that day, it is a good angle. Of course the subject was very cooperative too.
Lost Creek bridge This is the view from the small park adjacent to the bridge. The park and bridge form the Walch Memorial Wayside Park, built and maintained by the descendants of John and Marie Newsome Walch.


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all photos © R&C Wrede
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