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Lewis and Clark Bridge, with Mount St. Helens, Washington.
Lewis and Clark Bridge, as seen from Oregon Highway-30, downstream of Rainier, Oregon.
The bridge spans the Columbia River from Longview, Washington, to Rainier, Oregon. Mount St. Helens, Washington, is in the background.
Image taken February 11, 2004.
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Lewis and Clark Bridge ...
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Lewis and Clark passed through this area of the Columbia River on November 6, 1805 on their journey to the Pacific Ocean, and again on March 27, 1806, on their return.
The "Lewis and Clark Bridge" opened on March 29, 1930, and crosses the Columbia River between
Longview, Washington, and
Rainier, Oregon.
The bridge is located at Columbia River Mile (RM) 66, two miles downstream of the mouth of the Cowlitz River. Downstream on the Oregon side lies Dibblee Point Beach and Walker Island.
Lewis and Clark spent the night of March 29, 1806, on Walker Island.
The Lewis and Clark Bridge was originally called the "Longview Bridge" but was rededicated and renamed the Lewis and Clark Bridge in 1980.
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Dibblee Point Beach, Oregon, looking upstream.
The Lewis and Clark Bridge is in the fog in the background.
Image taken February 19, 2005.
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History ...
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The Lewis and Clark Bridge is a
cantilever bridge, which at the time of its construction, was the longest and highest in the country, at 8,192 feet long (including the approaches) and with the roadway sitting at 210 feet above the Columbia. The bridge was designed by engineer Joseph Baermann Strauss, who also designed the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Originally a privately owned toll bridge, the state of Washington bought the bridge in 1947 and replaced wooden approach spans with steel and concrete approach
spans. Tolls were removed in 1965, and in 1980 the bridge was
rededicated and renamed the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
In 1982 the "Longview Bridge" was added to the
National Register of Historic Places (Structure, #82004208).
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Views from Rainier City Park ...
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Lewis and Clark Bridge from Rainier, Oregon.
Looking downstream at the Lewis and Clark Bridge, from city park, Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken February 21, 2004.
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Lewis and Clark Bridge as seen from Rainier City Park, Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken February 21, 2004.
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Crossing the Bridge ...
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Crossing the Lewis and Clark Bridge, heading east into Washington.
Lewis and Clark Bridge spans the Columbia River from Longview, Washington, to Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken October 31, 2006.
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Crossing the Lewis and Clark Bridge, heading east into Washington.
Lewis and Clark Bridge spans the Columbia River from Longview, Washington, to Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken October 31, 2006.
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On the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
Lewis and Clark Bridge spans the Columbia River from Longview, Washington, to Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken February 11, 2004.
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"Fog So Thick" ...
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More than once along their journey Lewis and Clark mention the thick fog which formed along the Columbia. On November 3, 1805, it delayed their leaving their camp at Rooster Rock, more than 60 miles upstream from Rainier, Oregon.
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"... The Fog So thick this morning that we could not See a man 50 Steps off, this fog detained us untill 10 oClock at which time we Set out ..." [Clark, November 3, 1805]
[More]
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"Fog So Thick".
View heading west to Oregon on the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
Image taken November 15, 2005.
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Painting the Bridge ...
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Painting the Lewis and Clark Bridge, as seen from Rainier, Oregon.
Looking at the upstream side of the Lewis and Clark Bridge, as seen from moving car on Highway 30, Rainier, Oregon. Car frame is lower right corner.
Image taken September 4, 2011.
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With Mount St. Helens ...
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Great views of the Lewis and Clark Bridge and Mount St. Helens can be had from the Oregon side of the river west of Rainier, Oregon. Take Highway 30 heading west and climb the hill. Two viewpoints are along the hill westbound lanes only.
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Steaming Mount St. Helens and Longview, Washington.
Image taken January 2, 2005.
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Steaming Mount St. Helens and Longview, Washington.
Image taken January 2, 2005.
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Lewis and Clark Bridge from Rainier, Oregon.
Image taken January 31, 2007.
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"The Golden Age of Postcards" ...
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The early 1900s was the "Golden Age of Postcards", with the "Penny Postcard" being a popular way to send greetings to family and friends.
Today the Penny Postcard has become a snapshot of history.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, March 27, 1806 ...
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