BUTLER VALLEY (MAPLE CREEK)
Mad River
September 28, 1907: "The Butler Valley bridge across Mad river, and another smaller bridge in the same locality across Maple Creek, were completed Wednesday afternoon by Contractor F.L. Smith, and inspected and accepted for the county by County Surveyor G.W. Connors, who made a trip to the structures Wednesday morning, in company with Supervisors Pine and Brown, returning to Eureka the same evening. The bridges are in Supervisor Pine's district. The Butler Valley bridge, which cost $3,200 is located on Mad river about 18 miles southeast from Blue Lake. It is a combination bridge with steel bottom cords and wooden upperwork, the span 133 feet. A better site for a bridge could not be wished, the foundations on both sides of the river being in solid rock. Solid concrete piers raise the structure 44 feet above low water. The work was started six weeks ago by eight men. No bridge has existed before at this point. Travelers have always forded, crossing also the mouth of Maple creek, where the smaller stream enters Mad river, without once leaving the water. In order to get on the regular road, therefore, after crossing the Mad river bridge, it has been necessary to construct another bridge across Maple creek. The smaller bridge has a 40 foot span. It cost $750." (Blue Lake Advocate)
January 25, 1919: "Supervisor D.A. Baldwin informs us that Sam Ralston of Blue Lake is just finishing the rebuilding of the two approaches to the covered bridge spanning Mad River at Butler Valley, which have been found unsafe for some little time past.
The approaches are about 34 feet and 20 feet, respectively, and Mike Kenny of this place has been busy for a few days hauling with his team the 3,000 feet of heavy pine boards, 16 feet long, from the Korbel mill to the bridge. The main structure is as sound as ever, however, only the two approaches having been declared unsafe for traveling." (Blue Lake Advocate)
November 27, 1937: "Construction work on the new Butler Valley bridge is reported progressing. This structure is replacing the old covered bridge that has served that route for a number of years." (Blue Lake Advocate)