In the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s East Wenatchee was a vast waste of sandy land covered in sagebrush with very few inhabitants. This began to change in 1907 with the construction of the first highway bridge ever built across the Columbia River. This bridge was built for two purposes. - To support an irrigation pipeline that was to extend from the main canal (located on the west side of the river), for the purpose of conveying irrigation water to several thousand acres of arid land on the east side, lying below the gravity level of the main canal.
- To provide a means of crossing the river for all types of vehicles, thereby doing away with the unreliable ferry which had been the only way to cross the river since the beginning of civilization in this whole district.
When the bridge was ready for use and the pipeline began to deliver water to the thirsty land, the development proceeded rapidly and within two or three years nearly all the land lying below the new canal was planted to orchard. Many new homes were constructed by the owners and a sizable population inhabited the area. This gave demand for mercantile and other services on the east side of the river. In 1935 East Wenatchee was incorporated.
This bridge served its dual purpose until 1949 when the four lane, two million dollar bridge opened for traffic. The First Bridge continues to supply East Wenatchee with water while it is used daily for bicycles and foot traffic to connect our valley’s parks.
I have provided only a log in the cache. Please take your own writing equipment. You may leave tiny exchange items if you wish but please return cache exactly as found.
Please dress approriately for the season. It is cold out right now and fingers can get quite cold even on a short walk. Enjoy!