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WINCHESTER
North Umpqua River
1860 - 1862 ; 1888 - 1922
1860: "In 1860 Albert Moore assisted by his brothers, Amosa, James and Anthony, secured a charter from General Hooker and built a toll bridge across the North Umpqua River at Winchester. The bridge was lost in the flood of 1862." (Morning Oregonian) December 13, 1913 (Covered ?)
April 1, 1887: " 'A friend to Roads' writes wisely on this subject in this issue. We should by all means have a road along the route which he mentions. Roads and bridges are much needed in this county. Bridges at Winchester across the North Umpqua, one at Winstons Ferry, and at other places in the county would be profitable investments for us all. Nothing builds up a country so fast as good roads and bridges. Now as fast as possible we should like for our county authorities to look into the necessities of these matters and render relief at an early day. More good roads and good bridges is our motto." (Roseburg Review)
August 31, 1888: "The work on the Winchester bridge is being pushed right along." (Roseburg Review)
September 12, 1889: "Some of our young people were viewing the new bridge at Winchester Sunday." (Roseburg Review)
June 23, 1903: "About July 20th the Winchester bridge will be repaired, so we are informed by Judge Thompson, and those who have heavy hauling to do are hereby notified that repairs will be made, commencing on the above date at which time between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. the bridge will be closed to traffic." (The Plaindealer)
June 1, 1904: "The repairs on the wagon bridge here is nearing completion and will soon be open to traffic again." (Roseburg Review)
January 4, 1912: "In response to an advertisement for bids for the retimbering of the Winchester bridge, but three proposals were received. They follow: Portland Bridge Company $11,500.00; Columbia Bridge Company 8,400.00; Central States Bridge company 8,000.00.
The work of retimbering and otherwise repairing the Winchester bridge was awarded to the Columbia Bridge Company at the stipulated price of $8,400." (The Evening News)
May 11, 1912: "County Judge Wonacott refutes the rumor to the effect that the Winchester bridge is to be closed within the next few days and that persons desiring to visit Roseburg during the carnival will be compelled to drive several miles out of their way. On the contrary Judge Wonacott says work on the bridge will not be commenced for at least two weeks, or for a week following the carnival. Persons residing north of Winchester should remember this announcement, and attend the carnival." (The Evening News)
May 24, 1912: "The Winchester bridge was closed for traffic at noon today and will remain out of service until such time as the proposed repairs to the structure have been completed. People residing north of the river will be compelled to come to Roseburg via Umpqua until the ferry, now in course of construction, is finished." (The Evening News)
May 31, 1912: “The Winchester bridge was closed to traffic last week and will remain out of service until such time as the proposed repairs to the structure have been completed.” (The Sutherlin Sun)
June 7, 1912: “The old bridge at Winchester is being taken down to make room for the steel structure which is to take its place. Meanwhile the traffic at that point is being handled by the recently established ferry.” (The Sutherlin Sun)
September 19, 1912: "County Judge Wonacott announces that the newly built county bridge at Winchester will be opened for traffic tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The bridge, costing $15,600, is all complete, except for the banisters of the approaches and a few other minor details. Judge Wonacott will be present at the opening of the structure, and he invites all citizens to be with him." (Roseburg Review)
September 19, 1912: "Tomorrow, September 20, the Winchester bridge, will be formally opened to traffic, the contractors having completed the structure, which has been inspected and accepted by the county court. At 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon the new bridge will be photographed, and the county court invites all Douglas county citizens, as far as possible, to be present at the 'christening'. Roseburg should be well represented, and it is expected that many will go over on the afternoon train or by auto to see the finest bridge, and the largest one, in the county." (The Evening News)
September 27, 1912: “The new steel bridge at Winchester was opened to the public one day last week. The bridge is 590 feet long and the total cost of the structure was about $16,000.” (The Sutherlin Sun)
August 5, 1915: "A crew of painters have been engaged during the past few days in painting the Winchester bridge. Other bridges throughout the county will also be painted during the summer." (Roseburg Review)
April 7, 1917: "The Winchester bridge is being watched carefully, as are all of the other important bridges in Douglas County. Similar surveillance is being exercised at the tunnels south of Glendale. It is understood that the patrolling of bridges and tunnels will continue until the close of the war." (Roseburg Review)
July 30, 1917: "William Howard, who spent yesterday in Roseburg, reported that he recently discovered a fire on the bridge spanning the Umpqua River at Winchester. The flames were extinguished with a few pails of water. Mr. Howard is of the opinion that the fire ignited from a lighted cigarette carelessly thrown from a passing automobile. Had the fire not been discovered until a half hour later, Mr. Howard says , the bridge would probably have been badly damaged." (Roseburg Review)
October 12, 1918: "What might have been a very serious accident occurred on Winchester bridge this morning when a horse ridden by Mildred Gurney, of Winchester collided with an automobile, breaking the horse's hind leg between the ankle and the hoof. The bridge, which is covered, has two drives and Miss Gurney started across she noted the auto coming toward her at a good rate of speed and hurriedly took to the right, but the driver of the car, evidently unused to the laws of the road, turned at the right also and so quickly did it happen that Miss Gurney could not guide the animal to the other side of the bridge. Although Miss Gurney slipped from the horse's back without injury, it was necessary to kill the horse this afternoon to put it out of its misery. Mr. Gurney, who took the number of the car, will sue the owner for damages." (The News-Review)
March 18, 1920: "Owing to the frailty of the Winchester bridge to withstand the heavy traffic of the Pacific highway, engineers of the highway commission announce that a steel bridge will be necessary at that point and a survey will be underway in a few days. The new bridge would be located between the dam and the railroad bridge there, so as to take the road around the hill on the opposite side of the river instead of over it. The survey will be submitted to the state engineer and if funds are available it will be built within the next few years." (Roseburg Review)
July 12, 1922: "The most important improvement contemplated in connection with the July meeting, highway officials said, is the construction of what will be known as the Winchester bridge, a few miles north of Roseburg. This bridge will be more than 900 feet in length, and will cost approximatrely $110,000. It will span the Umpqua river. The bridge will be of concrete and steel construction." (Morning Oregonian)
NOTE: When the bridge was rebuilt / replaced in 1912 several steel bridges were erected across one branch of the Umpqua River or another. Some stories indicate the new bridge of 1912 was steel. However, some later local stories leave the impression of a covered structure. Also it appears that the press has mistaken the Winchester bridge with the Winston bridge. There is no doubt that in 1922 the confusion ends. As information becomes available the mystery of the 1912 bridge will be resolved.