By Mary Owen
The Save Our Bridge Committee is moving forward with fundraising efforts to restore Mill City’s historic railroad bridge.
“The committee raised $80,000 during the silent phase of the campaign, and now is in the process of raising an additional $120,000 for our half of the project’s cost,” said Lynda Harrington, chair of the nine-member ad-hoc committee.
The committee is selling T-shirts and buttons at the Mill City U.S. Bank, City Hall and a few other locations, Harrington said.
“All donations are tax deductible, and can be sent to the SOB Committee care of city hall via check or PayPal on the city’s website,” she said. “In addition, a Save Our Bridge U.S. Bank and Go Fund Me accounts have been set up for donations.”
The goal of the $400,000 project, a partnership between the SOB Committee and the city of Mill City, is to restore the historic and architecturally rare Phoenix Column Bridge to ensure it will serve North Santiam communities for many years to come, Harrington said.
“Mill City’s historic railroad bridge serves as a well-used bike and pedestrian trail, a meeting place for friends and a prime location for river watching,” she said. “It’s a vital part of the Mill City water system between Marion and Linn counties, and has become a source of community pride.”
The bridge was built a year after Santiam Lumbering Co. was formed in 1887, and Mill City was established in anticipation of moving logs and lumber by rail to local mills and to the Willamette Valley. Once built, the railroad also transported people and freight prior to development of an all-weather road that connected Mill City with Salem and points beyond.
The Santiam Lumbering Co. was purchased in 1899 by W.W. Curtiss and then in 1900 by A.B. Hammond. Hammond Lumber Co. became one of the largest lumber mills west of the Rocky Mountains.
The last remaining Phoenix Column Bridge in Oregon, the railroad bridge was moved to Mill City by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1919 to replace the original bridge made of wooden timbers.
“Southern Pacific Railroad suspended service to Mill City in 1967, and in 1971, the last train crossed the bridge,” Harrington said. A portion of the original line still services Frank and Freres lumber companies today, she said.
Harrington said the bridge’s successful restoration will enhance civic vitally in the North Santiam Canyon and lay the foundation for another 100 years of public use and enjoyment.
“We would like to have the funding in place by 2018, and the project completed in 2019 in time for bridge’s Centennial Celebration,” she said.
The SOB Committee would love to have people step up and participate in the project, Harrington added.
“All are invited to get involved in this exciting, historic project to ensure that a rare architectural structure and significant piece of our town’s history are preserved for generations to come,” she said.
For more information, call Harrington at 503-897-3432.
