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All the United States California Oroville Bidwell Bar Bridge
AO Edited

Bidwell Bar Bridge

California's first suspension bridge.

Oroville, California

Added By
Jeremy Dunn
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Looking east across the bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Looking east across the bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Starbucks Ironworks Troy, NY.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
View of new Bidwell Bar Bridge across the lake.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Looking west, across the bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
The new Bidwell Bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Aerial view of the new Bidwell Bar Bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Looking up to the original bridge.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
The bridge and tollhouse   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
View from the side   cl94 / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque at west end of bridge   cl94 / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque at east end of bridge   cl94 / Atlas Obscura User
Foundry stamp on one of the towers   cl94 / Atlas Obscura User
View east across the bridge   cl94 / Atlas Obscura User
Informational display.   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
Water under the bridge, with the lake nearly full   Jeremy D / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On July 4, 1848, John Bidwell discovered gold in a canyon of the Feather River. The town of Bidwell's Bar was soon in business. As one of the first mining camps in California, life was difficult. Settlers relied on a ferry to transport people and supplies across the river. A bridge was erected but was destroyed during a flood. In 1854, approval was given to build a stronger, permanent solution to cross the canyon.

Constructed in Troy, New York, this iron structure was shipped down the Hudson River to the Atlantic. It then ventured around the Cape Horn of South America, arriving in the San Francisco Bay. From there, the bridge was moved up the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. The journey covered around 18,000 nautical miles, with a team of oxen hauling it the final 30 miles. When completed in 1855, it was California's first suspension bridge.

In 1961, construction of the Oroville Dam began. Bidwell's Bar was soon submerged by the waters of Lake Oroville. The bridge and tollhouse were preserved and moved in 1964.

Now located in a state park, visitors can cross the old bridge to a vista point to see the new Bidwell Bar Bridge on the opposite side of the lake.

Related Tags

Bridges History & Culture Architecture Gold Rush

Know Before You Go

The old Bidwell Bar bridge and toll house are located near the Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp.

Community Contributors

Added By

Jeremy D

Edited By

aawlberninf350, cl94

  • aawlberninf350
  • cl94

Published

February 12, 2021

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Sources
  • https://www.asce.org/project/bidwell-bar-suspension-bridge/
Bidwell Bar Bridge
Unnamed Road
Oroville, California, 95966
United States
39.537463, -121.454258
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