Chitwood Covered Bridge
Image captured January 2021
Chitwood Covered Bridge spans the Lower Yaquina River. It is nestled in the community of Chitwood. The town is named after Joseph Chitwood, the town’s first postmaster and store owner.
Chitwood began as a railway stop along the Corvallis-Yaquina railway which ended in the town of Toledo. The railroad continues through Chitwood but no longer stops.
Image captured January 2021
The original Chitwood Covered Bridge was built in December of 1893. It was replaced in 1904 and replaced again in 1926. The structure was added to the historic register in 1979.
Image edited February 2023
The Chitwood bridge sign was saved from the old Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. The milepost indicates the bridge is located 139 miles from/to Portland, Oregon and 750 miles from/to San Francisco, California. The bridge resides at 68 feet elevation.
Image captured January 2021
This vintage rail car sits on private property. During my visit, I was able to talk with the proud owner. My memory is that she and her husband were shopping at the Newport Saturday Market. They met a traveling artist and hired him to paint the rail car. The artist sketched the bridge with a pencil and a piece of paper. The artist purchased the paint supplies from the local hardware store and free-hand painted the mural.
She wanted to be sure I saw the railcar and invited me to take photos. It is a beautiful mural and a tribute to how loved covered bridges are in their communities.
Why Paint a Bridge Red Like a Barn?
Cost again - red paint is cheap. Before paints became common and affordable, farmers still needed a way to protect their barns. To solve this problem, they mixed together three things they had plenty of - skimmed milk, lime and rust (iron oxide). This mixture created a red, paint-like coating which protected the wood and helped keep the barn warmer in the winter. Therefore, covered bridges are typically painted red because it was less expensive.
📷If you decide to travel to Newport, Oregon; drive through Toledo, Oregon and travel on the Yaquina Bay Road. The views are impressive.
For more information; click here Chitwood Covered Bridge
Chitwood Covered Bridge Key
🚚Active Bridge - This is an active bridge with traffic (see photo gallery).
🛣️Road Side Parking - This is an active bridge without parking. One must pull off the road and engage hazard lights (see photo gallery).
☕Toledo coffee shops include The Thirsty Fisherman and Toledo Coffee Depot
