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HAPPY VALLEY
South Umpqua River
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T28S-R6W-Sec3
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1916 - 1956
August 3, 1916: "G. Palmer returned from Washington where he has been working on a big steel bridge, to commence on the new Happy Valley bridge this week." (The News-Review)
August 11, 1916: "The Agee brothers, Earl and Fred, have the contract for delivering the materials for the new bridge at Happy Valley. They are hauling some very heavy loads of lumber from our station over to the bridge site." (Roseburg Review)
August 21, 1916: "According to Roadmaster K.A. Sinclair the work on the Happy Valley bridge is proceeding rapidly and will undoubtedly be completed before the date of the expiration of the contract, October 1. The bridge is being built by the Portland Bridge Company and will accommodate a large and prosperous farming community. The shore pier on this side of the river has been built and the cassion is being constructed for the pier in the middle of the river. The material is on the ground and has been framed ready to be put into place." (The News-Review)
November 4, 1916: "R.E. Mieth, of the Portland Bridge Company, who spent Friday in this city on business, left for his home last night. While here Mr. Mieth made arrangements to turn over the new bridge in Happy Valley to the county. The bridge is completed and will be formally accepted by the County Court some time next week." (Roseburg Review)
July 21, 1956: "Another of Douglas county's rapidly vanishing covered bridges is soon to be scrapped.
The Douglas County Court Friday accepted a bid of $80,350 for erection and construction on a new steel span bridge over the South Umpqua River on the Happy Valley Road. It will replace the wooden, covered Happy Valley Bridge built in 1916.
Successful bidder on the job was West Coast Steel Co. of Portland. The only other bidder was Tom Lillebo of Reedsport with a bid of $90,360.
County Engineer Al May explained that it is necessary to replace the 40-year-old covered bridge because it is becoming dangerous. He said the lower cords on the bridge are parting, and considerable sagging results. He said it would have been condemned in a year or two if use continued.
Although the present piers are substantial and will be used, the bottom of the bridge will be raised about four feet to allow clearance in high water.
The new structure will have a 21-foot roadway as compared to the present 16 feet." (The News-Review)