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LEBANON
Santiam River
1875 - 1915
May 28, 1875: "Mr. Miller, the man who drew the plan for the Lebanon bridge, was last Wednesday awarded the contract of its construction for $9,000. This is considered a very low figure." (The States Rights Democrat)
June 18, 1875: "The contract to build the Lebanon bridge for $9,000, awarded by the Superintendent to Miller and Son, was confirmed, and Mr. Charlton authorized to give the contractors a certificate of confirmation." (The States Rights Democrat)
October 8, 1875: "The spans of the Lebanon bridge are now being laid and the work will be continued every day, Sundays included, till the bridge is beyond the danger of a sudden rise in the turbid Santiam." (Oregon City Enterprise)
October 22, 1875: "We learn that the Lebanon bridge will be completed sometime during this week." (The Albany Register)
August 17, 1883: "Resignation of Jos Lamo on construction of Lebanon bridge not accepted." (The States Rights Democrat)
August 31, 1883: "Mr. D. Rankin has been employed by the County Court to place the Lebanon bridge in repair. Joseph Lamo was appointed to do this work, but in consequence of bad health he was compelled to resign." (The States Rights Democrat)
January 18, 1884: "Ordered that boom be placed in Santiam river by S.R. Claypool and W.B. Donaca for protection of Lebanon bridge." (The States Rights Democrat)
January 16, 1885: "As far as learned the damage done to the County by the late storms may be summarized as follows: Lebanon bridge nearly ruined." (The States Rights Democrat)
November 15, 1889: "R.R. Humphrey was appointed to repair the Lebanon bridge at a cost of $30." (The States Rights Democrat)
August 17, 1894: "Judge J.N. Duncan and commissioners J.M. Waters and J.W. Pugh were in the city last Friday on their rounds looking after bad bridges. We are glad to report that they decided to repair the approaches of the Lebanon bridge across the Santiam. The contract was let to Wm. St. John for $205. This is a piece of work that was badly needed." (The Lebanon Express)
September 9, 1901: "The improvements on the Lebanon bridge will be completed early this week. A new pier will be put in, and the west approach repaired. The bridge is closed to travel, and the old ford, half a mile below the bridge is again in use." (Morning Oregonian)
September 20, 1913: "The Lebanon Citizen says the big covered bridge across the Santiam at that place is the oldest in the county. It is of wood entirely, built 38 years ago, and is still in good condition." (Daily Capital Journal)
July 24, 1914: “Lebanon people are circulating a petition asking the county court to build a new bridge across the Santiam at that place. The present bridge is said to be in bad shape.” (The Brownsville Times)
July 24, 1914: “Lebanon people are circulating a petition asking the county court to build a new bridge across the Santiam at that place. The present bridge is said to be in bad shape.” (The Brownsville Times)
March 26, 1915: “Mr. Butler is now drawing plans for a bridge over the Santiam river about a mile east of Lebanon. Bids will be called for on both wood and steel, and will cost about $16000 if made of wood, and about $17,000 or $20,000 if steel is used. If the commissioners decide to use wood the span will be joined onto the old approaches and will be 240 feet long. In case steel is the material selected the old structure will be torn entirely away and a bridge 332 feet long will be built. The present bridge was built there 40 years ago this Spring. The bridge will be built this Summer. --Albany Democrat.” (The Brownsville Times)
March 26, 1915: “Mr. Butler is now drawing plans for a bridge over the Santiam river about a mile east of Lebanon. Bids will be called for on both wood and steel, and will cost about $16000 if made of wood, and about $17,000 or $20,000 if steel is used. If the commissioners decide to use wood the span will be joined onto the old approaches and will be 240 feet long. In case steel is the material selected the old structure will be torn entirely away and a bridge 332 feet long will be built. The present bridge was built there 40 years ago this Spring. The bridge will be built this Summer. --Albany Democrat.” (The Brownsville Times)
April 4, 1915: "The long wagon bridge across the South Santiam River at Lebanon, which is one of the oldest bridges in Oregon, is to be replaced this summer. This bridge was erected in 1875, and by the time a new structure is erected will have a record of 40 years' service.
Bridge builders say that there is probably no other bridge in the state now standing which has been in constant use an equal length of time. Despite its age, it is in fairly good condition yet. The structure was erected by the late A.S. Miller, State Railroad Commissioner.
The Linn County Court has not determined yet whether the new bridge at Lebanon will be constructed of wood or steel. Bids will be asked for on both types of construction and a decision will be made after the bids are received." (The Sunday Oregonian)
June 4, 1915: “The Linn County Court has authorized the construction of the new bridge across the Santiam at Lebanon and ordered bids to be advertised for at once. Bids will be received for both wood and steel construction. The bridge is to be completed by October 21.” (The Brownsville Times)
June 4, 1915: “The Linn County Court has authorized the construction of the new bridge across the Santiam at Lebanon and ordered bids to be advertised for at once. Bids will be received for both wood and steel construction. The bridge is to be completed by October 21.” (The Brownsville Times)
June 11, 1915: "The Lebanon bridge across the Santiam, in Linn county, was built in 1875---forty years ago." (Morning Register)
August 3, 1915: "Within a few days work will begin on the construction of a new steel bridge across the South Sanriam River at Lebanon. The contract for the work was let recently by the County Court of Linn County. The new bridge will replace one of the oldest wooden bridges in the state, erected in 1875." (Morning Oregonian)
November 19, 1915: "Linn County citizens are disturbed because the new steel bridge being installed at Lebanon by the Pacific Iron Works of Portland was washed out last night.
Linn County has always constructed her bridges in late years under the direction of Commissioner T.J. Butler, but owing to a new state law was forced to construct this bridge by contract, owing to the low bid submitted.
There has been a crying need for a new bridge across the Santiam at Lebanon, but owing to the red tape necessary under the new system of letting the contracts for bride building, the county has almost a year in getting construction under way.
The false work had just been put in and the bottom cords of the bridge placed in position when the washout occurred. River drift banked up against the false work, despite a system of booms designed to cause it to wash through a small opening in the center.
The river carried out the full center section of the false work, together with a donkey engine and a big pile driver, as well as the steel already in position.
Not only will the loss be heavy on account of the material and labor lost, but the contract with the county calls for a heavy penalty for every day of delay if the County Court chooses to enforce. The bridge was supposed to be completed last month." (Morning Oregonian)