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ESTACADA (HIGH)
Clackamas River
1908 - 1936
July 12, 1907: "The Estacada bridge is also in a bad condition and a new bridge will be built there this summer. The County Court will hold a special session for the purpose of arranging to advertise for bids for the construction of the new structure." (Oregon City Courier)
August 9, 1907: "The county court considered bridge matters Wednesday foreman but did not vote definitely on the proposition to change the site of the county bridge across the Clackamas at Estacada. There is slight doubt, however, said one member of the court, Wednesday, but that the new bridge will be placed where the old one is.
The Estacada bridge is in a dangerous condition and a new one placed nearly one-half mile down stream. Another faction objects strenuously to changing the site. The new location would necessitate building a road to the bridge and the structure itself would cost more as it would be 40 feet longer. These facts cause the court to view with disfavor the proposal to change the location. The new bridge will probably be a wood and iron structure, using the iron in the present bridge." (Oregon City Enterprise)
August 30, 1907: "County Judge Dimick, Commissioners John Lewellen and Thomas B. Killen have under consideration the establishment of a new high bridge across the Clackamas River at Estacada and accompanied by City Engineer Wilfred A. White made an examination of conditions there. The engineer will make plans and estimates from his survey of both the upper and lower sites, as the sentiment of the people of Estacada is divided over the location of the new structure. Considerable feeling has been aroused against the proposed removal of the bridge from its present location." (Oregon City Courier)
March 7, 1908: "The county court yesterday ordered that bids for the construction of a Howe truss steel bridge across the Clackamas river at Estacada be advertised for, the new bridge to be built at the location of the present bridge. This virtually ends the Estacada bridge war.
For the past six months, the bridge question has divided the people of that city into two factions, the 'up-streamers' and the 'down streamers.' The 'up-streamers'. wanted the new bridge to be constructed at the location of the old bridge, at the upper end of the town; the 'down-streamers' wanted the bridge at the lower end, about a mile down stream from the present bridge. The action of the county court may be considered a victory for the 'up-streamers.' " (The Oregon Daily Journal)
May 1, 1908: "The County Court has awarded to Olds and Reed the contract for the construction of the new bridge across the Clackamas River at Estacada the stipulated price for the bridge proper being $5800, while the approaches are to be paid for by the foot. Work will be commenced without delay." (Oregon City Enterprise)
May 29, 1908: "The high bridge over the Clackamas at Estacada will be closed to traffic this week." (Oregon City Courier)
October 8, 1908: “Henry Cromer, road supervisor in the Springwater district, completed the approach to the Estacada bridge on the South side last Friday. Now travelers find it much more convenient to get to Estacada. Mr. Cromer has done a good job and deserves the praise he is receiving. It is to be hoped the proper authority will loose no more time in having the approach on the North side completed before the rains begin.” (Estacada Progress)
June 5, 1913: "That the county bridge across the Clackamas river at Estacada is seriously weakened, owing to structural faults, and that it is in a condition dangerous to traffic, was the complaint made to the county commissioners at their session on Wednesday. It was set forth that the span had lost its 'camber,' and that one of the posts on the south side was two inches off the angle block, while other weaknesses of a minor nature had also been discovered.
The bridge is of the Howe truss variety, and is of about 140 feet span. The loss of 'camber' means that the longitudinal flooring of the structure, which should be slightly convex, has sagged until it is actually concave; and this brings about a weakness in the fabric which seriously cuts down its margin of safety under loads, and makes it liable to collapse under great stress.
The Estacada bridge was built only five years ago by Ed Olds and J.W. Reed, who contracted with the county to turn out a standard structure, of truss design, three-ply chords, for $7,500. Under ordinary circumstances, such a bridge should last at least eight years without repair, and should have a serviceable life, under such loads are as carried by this span, of not less than 15 or 18 years. Many such bridges properly built, have endured and carried a much heavier traffic, and have even survived wartime bombardments, for over 25 years.
The present dangerous condition of the bridge is believed to be solely due to improper methods of construction and to poor workmanship on the part of the contractor. An expert will be employed by the county court to view the structure, and to determine if the defects can be remedied so that the structure can be utilized further. The only way 'camber' can be restored to such a bridge is by building heavy false work underneath it; and in the present instance it is impossible to do this, owing to the nature of the banks of the river and the depth of the canyon at that point.
If the bridge cannot be repaired, and it is very doubtful is satisfactory betterment can be made in the structure, owing to its defective construction and present weakened condition, it will have to be replaced as soon as possible. To do this will not only be expensive for the county, but will also seriously inconvenience farmers and ranchers who have been using the structure, as while the span is being rebuilt the roadway cannot be used. If such a condition should develop, blame will rest on the original contractors and builders." (Morning Enterprise)
July 31, 1913: "Editor Courier:
Some time ago my attention was called to a newspaper article printed in the Oregon City Enterprise and the Portland Telegram about the Estacada bridge being in a dangerous condition, and in justice to the builders of that bridge and in common justice I wish to make a statement.
I was employed by the county court of Clackamas county to draw the plans of the Estacada bridge; the plans I furnished were accepted by the court; the contract was let to E.D. Olds and J.W. Reed to build it; it was accepted by the county court when completed as having been built according to the plans, and the builders were paid for the work.
In view of this statement, one that can be proven by the county court's own records, it appears to me that the charges in the Enterprise and Telegram, stating that the bridge was in an unsafe condition, 'owing to structural faults', are untrue and libelous statements, printed for the sole purpose of injuring the bridge builders, the reasons for which seem to appear in the recall election now on, in which Mr. Olds has had a prominent part. Fairness and honesty alone prompt me to make this explanation.
This bridge as built 5 years ago, and it fulfilled every requirement of the court and contract. If the bridge is not in a safe condition today (which I doubt) the fault is entirely with the present county court in not looking after it and keeping the shrinkage tightened up. Any Howe truss bridge must have this attention, and if the Estacada bridge has not had it, it is simply glaring neglect on the part of the court, and they alone should be censured.
The articles of June 5 were plain, libelous misstatements in their charges of 'structural faults', and the county court can hardly afford not to answer the letter of Mr. Olds in the Courier of June 26, where he challenges them to submit the bridge to any competent bridge builders in Oregon for proof of their charges.
I have known Mr. Olds for many years and I know that he is one of the best bridge builders in Oregon, and I vigorously resent the untruthful, anonymous attack on him---an attack that should rebound to the men who caused it publication. J.B. Tillitson." (Oregon City Courier)
August 13, 1913: "Editor, The Enterprise: I see a notice in the Courier stating that the Estacada bridge across the Clackamas river is all right, and that The Enterprise sometime ago published an article about it which The Courier says is untrue. Mr. Hayden, Mr. Hayner and I tightened up the bolts and rods in the bridge and found one bolt only part was through the chord. I took out the rod and put in a new one instead. I also found some truss braces short. I had to put wedges in to tighten them.
I know what good framing on bridge work is, and I count this framing a poor job. I do not blame the county officers for the poor work done on the bridge as their business is to attend to county affairs as best they can. I.N. Park, Springwater, Oregon." (Morning Enterprise)
August 10, 1916: “The city council of Estacada should go to a slight additional expense to have an electric light placed within the covered part of the bridge crossing the Clackamas.
Last week one of the Estacada women, while driving home with her little son about nine o'clock at night, was held up by some party or parties unknown.
While the holdup amounted to nothing more than the stopping of her horse and the frightening of the driver, a repetition of the affair would not happen with the bridge lighted.” (Eastern Clackamas News)
August 2, 1917: "Numerous complaints have been received lately of the condition of the Estacada bridge, crossing the Clackamas.
The decking and planks both on the bridge and the approaches are badly worn and loose, and holes large enough for a horse's hoof to go through are present in one or two spots.
Whoever is responsible for the upkeep of this bridge should get busy at once or the county officials should be notified." (Oregon City Courier)
September 6, 1917: “Under the direction of Road Supervisor Frank Millard of Springwater, the Estacada bridge crossing the Clackamas River is being repaired and put into first class condition.
The lower decking is being replaced with new three inch planking, with similar material being place on top of this, but with the top planking running lengthwise of the structure.” (Eastern Clackamas News)
June 19, 1935: "Construction of a new bridge across the Clackamas river at Estacada has been recommended by the county planning board to the state highway commission.
The board declared the present bridge is 'extremely hazardous' and the state be held liable for any accidents resulting from use of the old bridge by school buses this fall." (Statesman Journal)
August 13, 1936: "Workmen engaged in excavating for the road approaching the new Estacada bridge under construction uncovered a mineral spring on the edge of the Denney property is South Estacada. It has a large percent of mineral content and the flow is strong." (Daily Capital Journal)