Stayton–Jordan Bridge, Covered bridge in Stayton, Oregon.
The Stayton–Jordan Bridge is a covered footbridge over the Salem Power Canal in Pioneer Park, Stayton. Its timber truss carries pedestrians between the park's two banks; the canal is a diversion from the North Santiam River. The 1998 structure is nearly identical to the 1937 Jordan Bridge it replaces.
The 1937 Jordan Bridge spanned Thomas Creek near Lyons in Linn County, one of seven similar covered bridges there with large side openings. After Linn County chose to replace it in 1986, Stayton residents bought the dismantled structure and re-erected it over the Salem Power Canal, opening it in 1988. Christmas lights hit by BB-gun fire burned it in December 1994, and residents built the near-identical present bridge, opened in 1998.
The name comes from Jordan, a rural community near Lyons in Linn County, where the 1937 bridge stood over Thomas Creek. The structure is a public footbridge but can be reserved for private events such as weddings. Volunteers and Marine Corps reservists took part in the 1988 rebuild.
The bridge stands in Pioneer Park, reached on foot from the park's paths; it carries foot traffic only, so it is not open to vehicles. The structure can be reserved for private events such as weddings, so expect occasional closures to casual walkers.
Marines participated in rebuilding the first relocated bridge section, showing how military units joined community projects. This was an unusual example of collaboration between military personnel and local residents.
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