Knights Ferry Covered Bridge
If you are a fan of bridges especially covered bridges it is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area. It is off Highway 108/120 east of Oakdale, CA in the little town of Knights Ferry. It is the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River at 330 feet long.
We set out today to visit a place I had passed the turnoff for every time we went to the mountains when I was growing up. It was less than 25 miles from where I grew up but I had never been there.
After seeing a segment on TV about it I decided it was worth a visit to see and learn more of the history of the bridge and the town. In addition to learning much about the history I discovered why I had never been to see it. It was private property until 1972 when the Army Corp of Engineers purchased it and began developing the historic site and recreation area. I believe it was 1984 when the improvement were completed. I had left home in 1962 to only return to visit my parents periodically.
The Knights Ferry Bridge was built in 1863 after a disastrous flood wiped out the previous bridge that replaced the ferry and most of the town. The new bridge was covered and in later years the wooden roof was replaced with a metal one. This is the original bridge and has been maintained over the years carrying cars and trucks until 1981 When it was closed to vehicles.
The recreation area and historic site is a fee area but if you have a senior parks pass it is free as this is a Corp of Engineers facility. Just place your pass on your dashboard or pick up a rearview mirror sleeve for it in the Visitor Center.
Click on pictures to enlarge them.
On the site there is the remains of a mill that started out as a sawmill then was converted to a flour mill. As the revenue declined the grist mill was removed and converted to a electric generating station that served the local area. All of this was powered by a water turbine.
The turbine is in the room where people are standing and the generator was in the room to the right.
The water driven turbine
North entrance to bridge
Stanislaus River upstream from bridge
Interior of bridge. Posts have cables to keep people (and children from the gaps in the sides.
South side looking back at the mill.
This was the mill office and managers home. After the generating plant closed it was purchased to be used as a vacation cabin.
Views from the mill looking back at the bridge.
The lead photo (summertime) was from the site webpage.
For further information see the following links:
Thre are raft trips on the Stanislaus River available from Knighs Ferry and there are some restaurants that were recommened by some of the locals as well as on Trip Advisor.
We went to the 50s Roadhouse Diner on the edge of town which has all kinds of 50-60s memorbilia and continually plays the period music. Good service and decent brugers.
We have friend that is a "Honeymooners" Ralph Kramden fan and we found just the sandwich for him on the menu. First one under Cool Sandwiches.
The area is very warm to hot in the summer. Spring is a great time to visit unless you are rafting then the cool water and hot temperatures may be just the thing.
The trip that was capped of with a visit to a quilt shop in Sonora, what else. Seems Linda manages to find them everywhere.
We were "Off To" but just for the day!
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