Applegater Spring 2012 9
We can save McKee Bridge
BY roBErt E. VAN hEuit
The McKee Bridge was built in 1917. financing a program for repairs. A federal
The purpose of the structure was to convey grant program for restoration of covered
two stages per day into the Applegate bridges was found. It was decided that
Valley, as well as carry copper ore from the county would submit a proposal to
nearby mines. In 1956, due to increases the grant program to completely restore
in vehicle weights, a bypass road was built the bridge. The total cost of the project
with a concrete bridge. The covered bridge was estimated to be about $550,000. The
was closed to vehicles but remained open grant program requires that 10.27% of the
to pedestrians until now. This covered budget be provided as matching funds to
bridge is the fourth oldest in the state of supplement the grant. This means that
Oregon and considered to be the highest MBHS will need to raise about $56,000
at 45 feet above the water. The bridge is (matching funds). Jackson County owns
a significant attraction for tourists and the bridge, but has not budgeted money
residents of Jackson County. The bridge to maintain the bridge since 1956. Since
is an economic benefit to the area, as over then local residents and MBHS have raised
6,000 people visit the bridge annually from funds to maintain the bridge. The grant
application was submitted in December
the United States and foreign countries.
and we expect to
Our historic
he total cost of the project
receive a response
bridge has been
was estimated to be about
sometime in the
closed due to a
$550,000.
spring of 2012. If
critical defect
and when we get
discovered during an
inspection in October 2011. The following approval and funding, it will take about
describes what has happened and what is 18 months to complete the work. If we do
not get the grant, we will still need to raise
happening as a result of this inspection.
at least $50,000 just to correct the critical
Inspection
Early in 2011, Oregon Bridge problem with the north truss so it can be
Engineering Company (OBEC) submitted reopened to pedestrian traffic.
a proposal to inspect the bridge. The cost Fundraising needed
Assuming we get the grant, MBHS
of the inspection, including design of a
cable-and-plank system to be installed is taking steps to start raising funds now.
under the bridge, was $5,000. The cable- Members of the board of directors are
and-plank system was to be utilized for a investigating a number of charitable
close inspection of the underside of the organizations that may be willing to
bridge. The proposal was accepted by assist us. Two members of our board
Jackson County and the McKee Bridge planned to attend the recent Oregon
Historical Society (MBHS) gave the Nonprofit Leaders Conference in Medford
county $5,000 for that work. OBEC in hopes of making contact with charitable
provided the design of the cable-and- foundations that may be willing to help us.
As a fundraiser for McKee Bridge,
plank system. MBHS also paid about
$8,000 for the materials, scaffolding, and Phil Dollison will present a program about
core drilling that was necessary to install Alcatraz Island (the former prison in San
the cable-and -plank system. The county Francisco Bay) on May 8 at 7 pm in the
completed the installation of the cable- Ruch Library community room. Phil grew
and-plank system in September. Early up on the island and has some interesting
in October 2011, OBEC inspected the pictures and stories to share with us.
bridge and the approaches. On October There is no charge for attending, but any
25, OBEC reported by letter to the county donations will go toward restoration of
and to MBHS the results of the inspection. the bridge.
McKee Bridge Day will be on
During the inspection OBEC inspectors
found a number of deficiencies, including Saturday, June 23, this year, to participate
a critical one in the bottom chord of the in the Applegate Valley Days celebration.
north truss. Because of that deficiency, On that day, Janeen Sathre will lead three
OBEC strongly recommended that the interpretative walking tours of the Gin Lin
county close the bridge immediately to all mining area. The first hike will be 3-1/2
miles, moderately difficult, following the
users. The county complied.
hand-dug ditch. The remaining walks
Remedial actions
MBHS, Jackson County, the State of will be easy to moderate one-mile tours
Oregon, and OBEC jointly searched for of hydraulic mining landscape. Meet at
any possible funding that might assist in McKee Bridge and travel by car to the
T
trailhead. The first
hike will start at
9:30 am, second
hike at 1 pm, and
third hike at 3
pm. A donation
is required to
participate. All
hike donations
will be matched
by the Microsoft
Foundation. For
information, go
to www.applegatevalleydays.org and click
on “EVENTS.”
In addition to these activities, we
hope you will also assist us as you are able.
If you have any ideas or contacts with any
charitable organizations that would like
to join us, please contact Paul Tipton at
541-846-7501 or Bob Van Heuit at 541-
899-2927. Should you wish to make a
contribution to be used for the matching
funds requirement, please mail it to McKee
Bridge Historical Society, P.O. Box 854,
Jacksonville, OR 97530. Contributions
are 501(c)3 tax-deductible.
The MBHS Board of Directors
appreciates your continued support.
Robert E. Van Heuit
President
McKee Bridge Historical Society
541-899-2927
BUNCOM DAY 2012
Hitch up the team, saddle that mule, grab the kids and head out to historic
Buncom for Buncom Day 2012. If you’ve attended this friendly event before, you
probably already have Saturday, May 26, on your phone or calendar. Old-time fun
for all includes the internationally famous parade, food, music, booths, tadpoles,
petting zoo and, of course, the infamous chicken splat. The Applegate Lion’s club
promises plenty of great food this year, and bring your musical instrument for an
old-fashioned country jam.
Festivities start at 10 am and end at 3 pm with the fabulous parade around
1 pm Buncom time.
For information, check out our at website www.buncom.org or call Connie
Fowler at 541-899-7805.