The Van Buren Street Bridge is Oregon’s only remaining example of a movable bridge built using the rare pin-connection technology, and is the first bridge to span the Willamette River at Corvallis. The bridge’s main swing span pivoted the deck to open for river traffic. The bridge replaced ferry service located in the same area.
Portland engineer Andrew J. Porter of the Coast Bridge Company, designed the bridge. A construction permit was issued in 1911, and construction was completed in 1913. After fabrication elsewhere, pins – or bolts – connected each truss joint and allowed the bridge to be easily assembled on site. The 249-foot steel truss pivoted on a circular roller track (still there!) mounted on the central concrete pier. To open the bridge, six men – three on a side – rotated a 17-foot long wooden “turning key” that engaged a gear mechanism under the road deck. Once open, there was a 102 feet of clear passage between bridge piers for passing boats.
The bridge was funded by Benton County, with contributions from Linn County, private citizens of both counties, the City of Corvallis, and a contractor. The bond measure that provide bridge construction funding was the very first vote for newly enfranchised Corvallis women. The State of Oregon took possession of the bridge on November 18, 1938 with the establishment of the road as a State Highway 34.
The Van Buren Street Bridge is the third oldest bridge remaining over the Willamette River, after the Hawthorne (1910) and Steel (1912) Bridges in Portland. A sign on the bridge read: $25.00 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk or for driving on this bridge at one time more than 25 herd of cattle or horses.”
Click this link to download the passport and coin challenge instructions. A special thanks to subwaymark for helping make this available as a .pdf! There will be a few passports available outside the door at "Visit Corvallis" or inside during business hours. There are plenty of coins still available.