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WRIGHT
Molalla River
____ - 1929
February 16, 1867: "The toll bridges in Clackamas county have all been made free. The Harrison Wright bridge at a cost of $2,500 coin. 'Hamlet,' like many others, dissents to this, but numerous, and extensively signed lists presented to the Court in prayer for such was the basis of their action." (Oregon City Enterprise)
December 9, 1870: "In matter of bridge across Molalla, known as Wright's bridge, M. Ramsby was appointed to investigate the same and make such repairs as he thinks necessary." (The Weekly Enterprise)
June 23, 1876: "G.J. Trullinger was appointed to repair Molalla bridge at Wright's, and Howard Mill bridge across Milk creek." (Oregon City Enterprise)
June 19, 1891: "There is a notice posted on Wright's bridge over the Molalla river, notifying the public that the bridge is unsafe, and that all persons crossing the same must do so at their own risk." (Oregon City Enterprise)
August 13, 1895: "Gen. Moore, who came in from Wilhoit this afternoon with a drove of cattle, reports that the outgoing stage to Wilhoit from this city was held up at Wright's bridge and three passengers--two gentlemen and a lady--were relieved of their valueables. Wright's bridge is twelve miles east of Oregon City and there were two robbers." (Statesman Journal)
December 15, 1899: "Road Boss J.R. Shaver and crew are putting in the new bents at the south end of Wright's bridge." (Oregon City Courier)
April 10, 1903: "Wright's bridge needs the approach planked for a distance or the county will have to pay for a horse some of these days." (Oregon City Courier)
May 1, 1903: "County Judge Ryan, who attended the Odd Fellow anniversary services at Scotts Mills last Saturday night, made the round trip by private conveyance. He reports that the road for the entire distance is in good condition. The court has ordered the Wright bridge on the Molalla road redecked and a new approach constructed." (Oregon City Enterprise)
August 12, 1904: "There has been a great deal of complaint from the residents in the neighborhood of Wright's bridge, on the Molalla road that reckless persons have been driving horses at a run across this bridge when the law stipulates that they shall proceed no faster than a walk. A few arrests have been made and fines collected but as there have been offenders of late who have entirely disregarded the sign, the people have complained to the county authorities and if there are any more law breakers they will be hunted out and dealt with to the full extent of the law." (Oregon City Courier)
July 13, 1906: "Quite a serious runaway happened at Wright's bridge Tuesday evening when William Vaughn's team with a load of lumber got frightened. The driver, a small boy, jumped and the horses ran through the bridge, crashing into a buggy and horse driven by Mrs. J. Udell, which was about half way upon the apron of the bridge. The buggy was broken to splinters, Mrs. Udell thrown out and badly bruised and the horse cut badly. It seems nothing less than a miracle that the occupants of the buggy were not instantly killed." (Oregon City Courier)
April 8, 1910: "E.D. Olds and a crew of men are repairing Wright's bridge. The bridge on the bank has simply become completely rotten and it is a wonder it stood up under the heavy travel." (Oregon City Courier)
September 2, 1910: "Ed. Olds has a crew of men putting in a bulk-head under Wright's bridge, as the piling is rotting away. It should have been concrete, and therefor, eternity." (Oregon City Courier)
August 4, 1911: "H. Engle, our supervisor, is laying new plank on the approach to Wright's bridge, which was sadly needed." (Oregon City Courier)
December 27, 1917: "The Molalla river has cut a new channel near Wright's bridge, between Mulino and Liberal, and has left its former course under that bridge with little more than a stagnant pool of water. The river broke through a natural opening that it has seemed to be seeking for years and on its wild way washed out and practically destroyed the beautiful summer bungalow on the Honeycomb ranch of Charles Honeyman of Portland. Wright's bridge is useless and damage amounting to hundreds of dollars has been done to the county road.
Judge Anderson and Roadmaster Roots visited the scene last Thursday and announced that Wright's bridge is in such a damaged condition as a result of the unusual high water and the change in the channel, that it had to be closed to such foot traffic even as would venture over it. The court faces the necessity of building a new structure over the new river channel and building a county road over part of the old river bed. The Molalla was a great river for several days and still is raging. The change in its channel is counted as one of the unique storm freaks.
On its new course the Molalla dashes along just below the lower approach of the well-known bridge and has flooded the lowlands over a great area. It is the opinion of the court that the course of the stream will never be changed back again at this point and that the rebuilding of the bridge will be necessary. The court estimates the loss of the Honeyman house as total." (Oregon City Courier)
March 8, 1918: "County officials may undertake the rather unusual job of shoving a river back into place. This was intimated Friday evening by County Roadmaster Tom Roots, who with Judge Anderson and County Surveyor Johnson, visited the Wright's bridge country Thursday, in an effort to solve a problem which is becoming acute.
Several weeks ago the high waters in the Molalla caused a change in the channel of the river at Wright's bridge beyond Mulino. When the waters receded the old bridge was left standing high and dry. A house and barn belonging to Portland people, which was in the path of the new channel, were swept off down the river during the flood. The bridge itself was badly undermined by the raging torrent but it has been repaired.
It is possible, according to officials, to change the channel back again, by proper diking. At present a ford is being used to get from the end of the bridge across the present channel of the river, but many people are using the old steel bridge a mile or so above. If the diking is resorted to, it may however mean other trouble either above or below later on, and it is a question whether to abandon the present structure and build at a more practical point along the stream, or else attempt to throw the river back into the former channel and make safeguards for future high water. No definite plan however, has been as yet decided upon.
Molalla people will meet with County Judge Anderson and Roadmaster Roots Monday evening to discuss the problem." (Oregon City Enterprise)
March 21, 1918: "The situation at Wright's bridge will be taken care of in the near future, as the county is endeavoring to secure a donkey engine to assist in the work of changing the course of the river, so that it will again pass under the bridge." (Oregon City Courier)
February 27, 1919: “The improvements and repairs to the Wright bridge across the Molalla are about completed and the bridge should be ready for use by the end of this week.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
March 13, 1919: “Traffic has again been resumed over the Wright bridge.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
December 9, 1926: “Engineers of the state highway department were surveying at the Wright's bridge across the Molalla this week. They were getting data by which the state will prepare plans for a new bridge. It may be some time before a new structure is erected there, but the present bridge is an old one and an emergency may arise at anytime which will make a new bridge an immediate necessity.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
December 9, 1926: “Engineers of the state highway department were surveying at the Wright's bridge across the Molalla this week. They were getting data by which the state will prepare plans for a new bridge. It may be some time before a new structure is erected there, but the present bridge is an old one and an emergency may arise at anytime which will make a new bridge an immediate necessity.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
February 17, 1927: “On Wednesday morning while driving a truck loaded with grain toward Portland, J.R. Hoff went through the railing on the approach of Wright's bridge. To avoid hitting the bridge on the right side he turned quickly and went through the left side. The truck turned wrong side up on the grain. Mr. Hoff was only scratched. The truck caught fire but he quickly extinguished the flames. The machine was not damaged seriously, in spite of the fact that it had fallen twelve feet.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
April 19, 1928: “Wright's bridge at Liberal a historic structure is to be replaced by a modern bridge. The present bridge was built in 1882. Its opening was a great event. It was celebrated by a dance with Silas Wright as floor manager. The music was furnished by C.W. Kelley, late recorder of Oregon City played the harmonica; John Kelley, a triangle, Sid Wright, first white boy born in Oregon City, played the guitar and Charlie Atby a banjo. There was a surprisingly large attendance.
The bridge had been washed out for sometime and the river forded or traffic went over the old Goods bridge which has since been replaced.
The approach was built by donation work. While the auto was unknown the dangerous curve on the approach did not matter.
The new structure will go down the river and make a straight line across the river and a slight curve at this end will join the pavement about 300 feet north of Wright's culvert.
The bridge will be 20 feet wide with two bents of 120 feet length each. Bids will be opened on the 28th.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
August 2, 1928: “The work on Wright's bridge is ahead of schedule and the structure will be ready for use probably before the year.
It is none too soon. It was necessary for the Gilpin Construction company, who are building the new bridge to put a temporary bent under the old bridge to prevent it from falling down. It was in dangerous condition before these temporary repairs.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
August 2, 1928: “The work on Wright's bridge is ahead of schedule and the structure will be ready for use probably before the year.
It is none too soon. It was necessary for the Gilpin Construction company, who are building the new bridge to put a temporary bent under the old bridge to prevent it from falling down. It was in dangerous condition before these temporary repairs.” (The Molalla Pioneer)
November 14, 1929: “Tuesday the last rites were celebrated over the historical Wright's bridge which spanned the Molalla river at Liberal. This bridge was erected in 1882. It was a great struggle to get the bridge built and after this was done it was necessary to build the approach by popular subscription. Uncle Billy Vaughn and others of the original pioneers were interested.
When this bridge was opened it was celebrated with a community dance. The three piece orchestra consisted of a banjo, harmonica and mandolin. The whole country celebrated the event.
Last year a fine bridge just a little distance down river, was constructed. It has a better grade, sweeping curves in the fill leading to it and is a '29 model bridge.
Tuesday the old bridge was dynamited and set on fire. This was to avoid trouble which would come if it fell into the river and washed against the new bridge during a flood.
Thus one at a time the old land marks give place to progress.” (The Molalla Pioneer)