Polk County's historic treasure,
long beloved by community and friends...
Two miles south of the tiny community of Pedee, Oregon, on Polk-Benton counties border, is a covered bridge that has long been a meeting place for travelers on the Kings Valley Highway. In addition to its original use as a highway crossing over the creek, residents for nearly 80 years have used the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge for weddings, community picnics, dances and as a shelter from the rain.
Although many roofed bridges continue to serve on secondary roads in Oregon, this span was the last to serve on a primary state highway. When in service, locals mounted their mailboxes inside to protect them from the weather. Covered bridges, once numbering more than 450, are disappearing from the Oregon landscape. Today there are fewer than 50 left standing, and luckily, the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge is one of them. The bridge is listed on the National Historic Register, and now serves as a roadside park. It is one of the most photographed structures in the state of Oregon.
Although many roofed bridges continue to serve on secondary roads in Oregon, this span was the last to serve on a primary state highway. When in service, locals mounted their mailboxes inside to protect them from the weather. Covered bridges, once numbering more than 450, are disappearing from the Oregon landscape. Today there are fewer than 50 left standing, and luckily, the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge is one of them. The bridge is listed on the National Historic Register, and now serves as a roadside park. It is one of the most photographed structures in the state of Oregon.
Your Name in Bricks
To raise money to keep the beautiful Ritner Creek Covered Bridge intact, the Friends of the Ritner Creek Bridge is selling engraved bricks, which will be placed in a walkway at the bridge, for $75 each.
Mail checks to Friends of Ritner Creek Bridge, 593 E Street, Independence,
Oregon 97351. You will receive a mail receipt for tax purposes. All funds sent to
the Friends are used to maintain the bridge.
Questions? Call 503-871-1242 or Email Us.
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 Friends of Ritner Creek Bridge find their brick. | ||||
Saving Ritner Creek Covered Bridge
2010 ribbon cutting to celebrate the first set of bricks.
In 1974, when the bridge was deemed too hazardous and removed from service, it was also threatened with
complete removal to make way for road improvements. The people of Pedee, however, rallied
to save it. Although Ritner Creek Covered Bridge was slated for demolition, the children of Pedee School gathered pennies from their parents and initiated a "Save our Bridge" campaign that also culminated in a ballot issue to
relocate the bridge parallel to the new concrete bridge.
In 1975, the bridge was moved from the highway and situated in the small park next to its former location on Kings Valley Highway (route 223).
From 2006-2008, the Ritner Creek Bridge, much damaged by time, was closed to foot traffic while county and community volunteers raised funds from grants and donations to repair and restore the bridge. On May 8, 2008, the bridge was restored to its original beauty. Since then, the small park has been a popular stopping place for travelers and tourists who are taking the scenic route between Wren, west of Corvallis, and Dallas. The Ritner Creek Bridge is now on the National Historic Register.
In 1975, the bridge was moved from the highway and situated in the small park next to its former location on Kings Valley Highway (route 223).
From 2006-2008, the Ritner Creek Bridge, much damaged by time, was closed to foot traffic while county and community volunteers raised funds from grants and donations to repair and restore the bridge. On May 8, 2008, the bridge was restored to its original beauty. Since then, the small park has been a popular stopping place for travelers and tourists who are taking the scenic route between Wren, west of Corvallis, and Dallas. The Ritner Creek Bridge is now on the National Historic Register.
Donations
made to the Ritner Creek Bridge are tax-deductible and will be used to
maintain the bridge.
Friends of the Ritner Creek Bridge, 593 E Street, Independence, Oregon 97351 • 503-871-1242 • Email Us
