CB
Menu
COBURG
McKenzie River
January 27, 1903: "Word reaches this office of considerable damage being done to the Coburg bridge across the McKenzie. Three spans of the approach were destroyed by the high water. One of these is said to be a new one constructed this last year. It will take several hundred dollars to fix up the damage done." (The Eugene Guard)
August 7, 1903: "The members of the county commissioners' court, now in session, drove over to the wagon bridge across the McKenzie near Coburg this morning and examined the structure to ascertain what permanent improvements were necessary.
The court found that the two big piers were in very bad condition and new ones will have to be built immediately. The Guard was informed that steps would be taken at once to build the piers.
The temporary improvements recently made on the bridge by C.W. Taylor were found to be satisfactory." (The Eugene Guard)
August 8, 1903: "Chas. Ingram, who left Coburg late last evening on his wheel, was ordered to stop and hold up his hands by a lone highwayman at the end of the Coburg bridge. He rode swiftly by the footpad and was off down the road before the man knew what happened.
Ingram did not get a look at the fellow as in the darkness of the covered bridge. He was ordered to stop and didn't do a thing but go faster. He made record time to Eugene.
His action placed his life in danger, for in a case like that in Portland during the past few months, a shot or two would have followed the fleeing man who would not obey the orders of the thug." (The Eugene Guard)
October 16, 1903: "Notice is hereby given that the County Commissioners Court will receive sealed bids for the furnishing of a sufficient quantity of large basalt rock to fill the two piers of the Coburg bridge across the McKenzie river in Lane County, Oregon, said rock to be placed in said piers also for the delivery of one thousand yards of large basalt rock at the south end of said Coburg bridge and on the south bank of said McKenzie river in such manner and place as the County Commissioners may direct.
Said bids to be filed with the County Clerk by two o'clock on Wednesday, November 4, 1903.
The court reserves the right to reject and and all bids.
By order of the County Commissioners court this the 13th day of October, 1903. E.U. Lee, county clerk." (Morning Register)
June 11, 1915: "The Coburg bridge across the McKenzie was built in 1878--thirty-seven years ago, and it is still in a fair state of preservation." (Morning Register)
August 29, 1915: "One of the big automobile trucks of the Booth-Kelly Lumber company, heavily loaded with lumber and cement, broke through the wagon bridge over the McKenzie river near Coburg yesterday about noon and the rear wheels of the machine sank through the floor of the structure. A big stringer of the bridge three by twelve inches and three floor planks were broken. A spring of the truck was also broken.
The company has sent the truck to Coburg loaded with materials for the construction of a silo for a farmer near that town. The load was quite heavy and when the machine reached a weak spot in the bridge the break occurred.
The members of the county court were informed and lumber for the repair of the bridge was at once ordered. Arthur Striker, the county bridge builder, will start on the repairs tomorrow. The court decided to place an entirely new floor on the bridge. It will require about 15,000 feet of lumber. The lumber will be three by twelve inches in dimensions and will be vertical grained. The bridge is still open to travel the hole in the floor having been patched up." (Morning Register)
August 14, 1916: "Mr. Stryker has been working on the Coburg bridge where he put in a new pier, new floor and new approaches, but a few days ago he moved his crew to the Camp Creek bridge where extensive repairs will be made." (The Springfield News)
March 16, 1921: "A group of Coburg citizens presented a request for an investigation of the Coburg bridge, to the county court today. The bridge is held to more or less unsafe on account of the darkness of the covered portion. Further, the petitioners state that the approach at one end of the bridge should be widened as it is held to be dangerous for vehicles passing at that point." (The Eugene Guard)
March 17, 1921: "Judge Barnard stated today that in response to the petition of Coburg citizens for improvements at the covered bridge over the McKenzie the court will arrange to have the approach widened so as to make it more safe for both teams and automobile driving upon it. They did not consider it necessary to make openings in the bridge cover as suggested." (The Eugene Guard)