Rugged individuals armed with hand tools, sweat, and ambition began building covered bridges in Oregon during the mid-1850s. These bridge builders often camped out at remote sites, living off the land or contracting with local farmers for food. Early owners of covered bridges financed construction by charging tolls3 for a sheep, 5 for a horse and rider, and 10 for a team of horses and wagon. In the early 20th century, the state provided standard bridge and truss designs to each county, and most of the resulting structures incorporated the Howe truss. With the abundance of Douglas fir and the shortage of steel during the world wars, the construction of wooden covered bridges continued well into the 1950s, mainly in the Willamette Valley. During the 1920s, Oregon boasted more than 350 covered bridges.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Oregon's legendary bridge engineer Conde B. McCullough designed a first-rate collection of aesthetic bridges on the Oregon Coast Highway to enhance an already dramatic and beautiful landscape. The six largest of these, at Gold Beach, Newport, Waldport, Florence, Reedsport, and Coos Bay, eliminated the last ferries on the Oregon Coast Highway between the Columbia River and California. McCullough planned to build one bridge each year after completion of the Rogue River Bridge at Gold Beach in 1932, but the tightening grip of the Depression threatened his plans. In 1933, McCullough and his staff worked day and night to finish plans for the remaining five bridges, and in early 1934, the Public Works Administration funded simultaneous construction of them. The combined projects provided approximately 630 jobs, but at least six workers perished during construction. After the bridges were complete, Oregon coast tourism increased by a dramatic 72 percent in the first year.

"Recognized by Engineering News-Record as one of the most important bridge engineers in the past 125 years, McCollough was an impassioned promoter of state-sponsored bridge building that incorporated engineering efficiency with economic practicality and aesthetic appeal. His bridges are rich in detail; the finest among them are embellished with arch crowns, Art Deco-inspired plylons and obelisks, Gothic piers, towering spires, and arched railing panels." "Illustrated with historic photographs and drawings, Robert Hadlow's definitive and highly readable biography will delight bridge buffs and engineering enthusiasts everywhere."--BOOK JACKET.

"This synthesis report will be of interest to state highway design engineers and structural engineers, as well as environmental and historic preservation personnel in transportation agencies. It will also be of interest to state historic preservation offices, federal historic preservation agencies, ang engineering preservation consultants"--Avant-propos.

Designed first and foremost to be practical, bridges nevertheless are often breathtaking in their construction, combining function and aesthetics. The historic structures that span the Evergreen State's highways are no exception. These technological wonders are extraordinary by any measure, yet their stories have remained largely unknown. Conceived by visionary engineers and built by anonymous workmen, Washington's highway bridges are amazing triumphs of skill, and played a significant role in the state's history. Several, at the time of their completion, attracted worldwide attention and the praise of professional engineers, influencing the course of bridge construction. In their quest to compile the first comprehensive history of the state's highway bridges, the authors poured through the extensive records at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), collecting definitive documentation and photographs from across the state. This magnificent book, including more than 100 illustrations, represents the culmination of years of study by many individuals associated with WSDOT and the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (Olympia).

Crossings ties together the history of the Oregon Coast Highway, the story of master bridge engineer Conde B. McCullough, the exciting path to federal funding, and the building of the coastal bridges, with special emphasis on the bridge that best represents McCullough's technical and aesthetic genius the Siuslaw River Bridge.

Tells the story of the legendary road, Route 66, begun in the early 1920s that covered 2400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Statements of Hon. A.T. Smith, Hon. Albert Johnson, Hon. N.J. Sinnott, Hon. W.C. Hawley, Hon. J.W. Summers, Hon. J.F. Miller, Hon. U.S. Guyer, Hon. C.E. Winter, Hon. W.G. Sears, Hon. Elton Watkins, Hon. J.G. Strong, Hon. E.O. Leatherwood, Mr. W.C. Markham, Hon. R.G. Simmons, Hon. D.B. Colton.