BRIDGEPORT
South Fork of the Yuba River
March 16, 1855: "NOTICE. At the February Term of the Court of Sessions in and for the county of Nevada, the undersigned will apply for a license to set up and keep a Toll Bridge at Bridgeport. crossing at Bridgeport crossing, at Bridgeport crossing on the South Yuba river. N.W. Clark, Thos P. Hesse, S.D. Wood." (Nevada City Journal)
January 21, 1859: "SUMMONS,
You are hereby summoned to appear and answer the complaint of Matthew Sparks and Henry B. Sparks, filed against you (Thos. Hess) and David Wood ... in said court for the recovery of $2,651.00 due and payable to said Plaintiffs from the Defendants Thos. P. Hess upon a written agreement hearing date 9th of Nov. A.D. 1854 conditioned for the payment of the purchase money of certain premises particularly described in the complaint; together with interest on the sum of $1,100.00 from the 9th day of October A.D. 1858, from judgment till paid; also to obtain a decree of this court for the foreclosure of the Plaintiff vendor's lien, and for a sale of the premises described in the complaint aforesaid, viz:
"A certain Bridge, located, lying, and being on the stream known as the South Fork of the Yuba river, and being erected across said South Fork at a point on said stream known as Bridgeport; said Bridge being formerly known as Spark's Bridge, and being now known as Wood's Bridge. Also . . The dug roads leading from said Bridge up the hills on both sides of said South Fork.---Also--the Toll house, stables, and out-houses connected with said Bridge, and the land on which all of the above described property stands and is erected; together with all rights, privileges and appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining to said Bridge and premises; and if any deficiency shall remain after applying all of said moneys so applicable thereto, then that plaintiffs may have execution therefor against said defendants; ..." (Nevada City Journal)
1862: Bridge constructed.
June 19, 1901: "There is a possibility that the old covered wooden bridge which spans the Yuba river at Bridgeport will be replaced by a modern steel structure. In all probability at the next session of the Board of Supervisors, A.J. Woods, the energetic representative of the people of the Fourth district, will ask that the improvement be made. There is good reason to believe that the request will be granted, as there is perhaps no section of the county where money could be expended to better advantage. True, the present bridge has always been kept in fair repair, but long usage has so weakened it that travelers are skeptical as to its safety. If the improvement is made, it will not only be an advantage to the residents of the Fourth Supervisoral district, but to the public at large." (The Morning Union)
December 20, 1931: "At Bridgeport stands that curious hold-over from the old wagon days---a covered bridge. Built about 1862 by contractors waiting for work to open on Central Pacific Railroad construction, it is still sturdy and staunch with its combined Howe truss-bow-string engineering principle. In the late nineties the bridge was rebuilt under the direction of W.W. Waggoner, then county surveyor, the early design being retained and preserved." (The Morning Union)
October 21, 1948: "One of the oldest covered bridges still in use was dedicated with a bronze plaque Sunday in a ceremony sponsored by the Columbia Parlor, Native Daughters of French Corral at Bridgeport in Nevada County.
The bridge, which crosses the South Fork of the Yuba River, was built in 1862 by David I. Wood." (Auburn Journal)
March 9, 1951: "The covered bridge at Birdgeport, has been closed after 89 years of public service.
County Surveyor J.F. O'Connor closed the ancient structure after discovery of a broken floor beam. The historic California bridge is the longest covered wooden bridge in the nation.
The 225-foot span was built in 1862 and has been called one of the country's 'monuments to craftsmanship.' " (Weekly Times-Advocate)