Shotgun Creek: Marcola

Shotgun creek flows southeast into the Mohawk Valley, not far from the town of Marcola. As the story goes, one day many, many, many years ago, a young man was out hunting and forgot his shotgun along a creek. He had to go back to get it, thus giving this creek its name. Fast forward …

Harris Bridge Vineyard

Tucked into a tiny valley, between the historic Harris Covered Bridge and a railroad track, just outside the town of Philomath is Harris Bridge Vineyard which specializes in dessert wines, sweet vermouth, and aperitifs. We've tasted at a lot of wineries throughout Oregon, especially in the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys. So when I first read about Harris Bridge …

Coyote Creek Covered Bridge

Built in 1922, the Coyote Creek Covered Bridge used to be part of Territorial Road, a major secondary road system that crisscrossed the valley in the mid- to late-1800s. The bridge was bypassed when a more direct highway route was established and trucks became too heavy. Now Coyote Creek Covered Bridge is tucked just off of Territorial …

Centennial Covered Bridge

"Grovers" are well acquainted with the Centennial Covered Bridge, a pedestrian bridge located on the western edge of our historic downtown. The bridge is a reminder of the many covered bridges which once dotted our landscape as well as a testament to Cottage Grove's efforts to embrace its history and historical structures. Given the popularity of the …

Mosby Creek Covered Bridge — Revitalized

If you've been out Mosby Creek Road these past several months or if you've recently done Cottage Grove's covered bridge tour then you know that the Mosby Creek Covered Bridge has spent the past six months covered in plastic and closed to traffic. The bridge is Lane County's oldest covered bridge -- built in 1920 …

Currin’s Bridge

With the Oregon Covered Bridge Festival happening in Cottage Grove this weekend, I thought it would be fun to explore the history of one of our local bridges, though admittedly, I don't know if it was ever covered. At the turn of the previous century, the Bohemia Mining District was booming and a railroad was …

Siuslaw Interpretive Center: Florence

The next time you are in Old Town Florence, head to the west end of Bay Street and enjoy the new Siuslaw Interpretive Center. We've been watching this new park being developed for the past couple years, and during my last visit to Florence I discovered that the interpretive signs have finally been installed. Though …

Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge

The Jordan Covered Bridge began life in 1937 straddling Thomas Creek east of Scio in Linn County. It looked like many covered bridges built at that time by Linn County, with its sides open to expose the trusses. This design feature increased light in the bridge, improved visibility for motorists, offered less wind resistance, and …

Umpqua River Boardwalk: Reedsport

I’ve often been curious about the riverfront in Reedsport. From my perspective, it has always seemed like a lost opportunity; really, you would hardly know that Reedsport was on a river if you didn’t cross it on your way out of town. In the past, our forays down to the river to explore have only …

Lowell Covered Bridge and Interpretive Center

Several years ago, as we were coming home down Highway 58, we needed to stop a minute and stretch our legs. We pulled into the parking lot at the Lowell Covered Bridge expecting to just walk around and view the bridge. We were surprised to find a wonderful little wayside and Interpretive Center. Since then, …