CHILI BAR
South Fork American River
November 8, 1855: "Notice of Renewal of Bridge License. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned E. & H. Gorge will apply at the next session of the Hon. Board of Supervisors of the county of El Dorado and State of California, to be holden at Coloma on the first Monday in November, A.D., 1855, for a renewal of their License to keep a Toll Bridge across the South Fork of the American River at Chili Bar in said county. E.&H. GEORGE. Oct. 16th, A.D., 1855." (Georgetown News)
June 12, 1858: "TO CAPITALISTS. The subscriber wishing to go to the Atlantic States, will dispose of his Bridge across the South Fork of the American River, on road leading from Placerville to Georgetown. It is the only Bridge between Coloma and Johnson's Cutoff, and the only covered bridge on the river. Connected with the bridge, is a fine two-story hotel, well furnished, and a large stable; also, a blacksmith shop and an office. The whole property will be sold together. and upon the most reasonable terms.
Apply to L.B. Hopkins, Placerville, or to the undersigned at the bridge. Eli George, Chili Bar Bridge, May 1st, 1858." (Mountain Democrat)
December 10, 1859: "BRIDGE NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that I will apply to the Hon. Board of Supervisors, of El Dorado County, California, for a renewal of License to keep a Toll Bridge, for one year, across the South Fork of the American River, at Chili Bar, at their meeting in December, 1859, or as soon thereafter as the same can be heard. ELI GEORGE. Chili Bar, Nov. 28th, 1859." (Mountain Democrat)
December 24, 1859: "IMPROVEMENT.--We notice that Eli George has constructed eight substantial stone piers under his bridge across the South Fork of the American River at Chili Bar. It is now one of the most substantial structures of the kind in California. By-the-way, our friend Eli keeps devilish fine old Bourbon, in his bar. We've tried it." (Mountain Democrat)
November 17, 1860: "BRIDGE NOTICE. Notice is hereby given, that the undersigned will apply to the Hon. Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County, California, on the first Monday in December, 1860, for a renewal of license to keep a Toll-Bridge across the South Ford of the American River, for one year. ELI GEORGE. Chili Bar, Oct. 24th, 1860." (Mountain Democrat)
November 16, 1861: "BRIDGE NOTICE. Notice is hereby given, that the undersigned will apply to the Hon. Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County, at their regular meeting on the first Monday in December next, or as soon thereafter as the same can be heard, for renewal of License to keep a Toll Bridge across the South Fork of the American River, at Chili Bar, for one year. ELI GEORGE. Chili Bar, Oct. 28th, 1861." (Mountain Democrat)
January 14, 1862: "The Chile Bar bridge, between here (Placerville) and Georgetown, and the dwelling house at the bridge, belonging to Eli George, has gone down the stream, which is fifteen feet higher than ever known before." (Sacramento Daily Union)
January 17, 1862: "The water at Chile Bar carried off the dwelling house, furniture, etc., of Eli George, the torrent having risen 15 feet above the previous flood." (Marysville Daily Appeal)
January 18, 1862: "On the 10th inst., the house, barn, blacksmith shop and toll-bridge of Mr. Eli George, at Chili Bar, were all swept away by the flood--he and Mrs. George barely escaping with their lives. The disaster leaves them Destitute. Will not some of our generous citizens take the matter in hand and raise a subscription for their relief? This is a case that deserves the aid of the generous, and the people of Placerville are eminently so. Who will take the matter in hand?" (Mountain Democrat)
February 1, 1862: "FERRY NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will apply to the Hon. Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County at their meeting on the first Monday of March, 1862, for license to keep a ferry across the waters of the South Fork of the American River, at Chili Bar, in said County, for three months. ELI GEORGE. Chili Bar, February 1st, 1862." (Mountain Democrat)
January 3, 1863: "BRIDGE NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will apply to the Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County, California, at their meeting in February 1863, for license to keep a toll bridge across the South Fork of the American River, at Chili Bar, in said county, for one year. ELI GEORGE. Chili Bar, December 18th, 1862." (Mountain Democrat)
January 7, 1865: "License Granted.--The Board of Supervisors at their last meeting granted Leonard Reeg a license to keep a toll bridge over the South Fork of the American river at Chili Bar for the period of one year, from the 1st of January, 1865." (Mountain Democrat)
December 16, 1865: "BRIDGE NOTICE. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will apply to the Honorable Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County, California, at their meeting on the first Monday in January, 1866, for renewal of license to keep a Toll Bridge across the waters of the South Fork of the American River, at Chili Bar, in said County, for one year. LEONARD REEG Chili Bar, Dec. 6, 1865." (Mountain Democrat)
February 2, 1886: "On account of the swollen streams and the bad condition of the bridges, the Georgetown stage line is now being operated under difficulties. Last Monday, after a part of the Chili Bar bridge had been carried away, the driver, John Poor, went round by way of Uniontown. When he arrived there, he found that bridge to be not very safe, and the man in charge told him if he went over it he would have to do so at his own risk. He unhitched the horses and led them over, then he drew the wagon over safely by hand. From this time till the Chili Bar bridge is repaired, he will carry the mail on foot on a ladder over the broken part of the bridge. From Kelsey he will make the rest of the trip on horseback." (Sacramento Daily Union)
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1891: New bridge of wood and steel constructed. Unlikely of the covered style.