KNIGHT'S FERRY
Stanislaus River
April 17, 1896: "In the matter of the petition for electric lights on Knight's Ferry Bridge:
The petition from the Stanislaus Milling and Power Co., for placing electric lights on the covered bridge at Knight's Ferry, was read and ordered filed." (Stanislaus County Weekly News)
The petition from the Stanislaus Milling and Power Co., for placing electric lights on the covered bridge at Knight's Ferry, was read and ordered filed." (Stanislaus County Weekly News)
June 21, 1920: "The old covered bridge at Knights Ferry, over the Stanislaus river, built to replace the structure washed away in the flood of 1862-3, is being remodeled to allow floor space for the passing of two automobiles. Work began Wednesday under the direction of F. L. Stockpole, and will be completed in two weeks. The new floor, made of 1 x 4's set edgewise, will be 16 feet wide.
Thirty-five years ago it was a toll bridge, and the fact it is in such excellent state of preservation is said to be due to the roof which arches the full length of the bridge. Some of the timbers in it were hewn out with a broad axe, while much of it was turned out by an early day sawmill at Knights Ferry. The big tree trunks were floated down the Stanislaus river in early days from the high timber regions, were caught at Knights Ferry and used in the construction of the picturesque old bridge which is known to motorists all over the state." (Stockton Independent)
September 26, 1940: "One of the most famous old historical links in this district with a romantic past may soon pass out of the picture, due to the ravages of time, it was announced yesterday by County Surveyor George Macomber who said that the covered bridge at Knights Ferry has been closed to truck travel.
At the present time, he said, passenger cars may still use the bridge but in the near future it may be necessary to close the bridge to all traffic.
If through the ravages of time the complete abandonment of this structure is caused, it will be a serious blow to the many people who take great pride in the history of this region. Over this crossing passed the major traffic to the Mother Lode country in the early days and over it moved flour for the miners milled from wheat grown on the land around Oakdale.
The bridge was built 86 years ago and was washed out in a flood in 1862, being rebuilt two years later. According to the popular story, the bridge was built by General U.S. Grant when he was a young officer in the Western Department of the old Army.
Due to its age and splendid construction as well as being one of the few bridges left that are covered, the structure has been given wide publicity in magazines, on the radio and through other mediums." (Oakdale Leader)
October 17, 1940: "The historic old Knights Ferry covered bridge was temporarily closed to travel Monday and will remain closed for the next two weeks, according to announcement made by County Surveyor Geo. Macomber.
As was announced in the Leader at the time, the bridge will be repaired to make it safe for heavier traffic. Macomber estimates that the work can be completed within two weeks. In the meantime Knights Ferry people will still be able to get to Oakdale over the old Orange Blossom road." (Oakdale Leader)
July 5, 1945: "Work was started on remodeling the old historic covered bridge at Knights Ferry to permit automobiles to pass each other on the bridge. The covered bridge was built in 1862 to replace the one carried away in the flood but despite its almost three score years it is still in splendid repair." (Oakdale Leader)
July 8, 1965: "The more than 100-year-old covered bridge at Knight Ferry took on a modern look Thursday as a device regulating one-way traffic was put into operation.
The present structure was built in 1864, with pedestrian walks on each side. The center road bed was originally covered with four inches of sand.
Historical accounts relate that early traffic over the bridge was immense since the bridge at that time was the link between Stockton and the Mother Lode area.
A count taken last summer, at the peak of the tourist season in July, revealed that 985 vehicles went over the bridge in one day. Winter traffic averages about 25 vehicles per day over the bridge.
Carl Negele, with the County Public Works Department, expects daily traffic to increase for a while as people try the new traffic lighting system.
Peter L. Josserand, application engineer with econolite traffic control and lighting department of Sacramento, was on hand to officially check the light and put it in operation. Installed at a cost of almost $7,000, the signal is the only one of its kind in Stanislaus county.
Motorcyclist are finding that the devise doesn't work at the north end as motorcycles enter the bridge, as the metal in their vehicles id not sufficient to trip the light." (Oakdale Leader)
May 19, 1966: :Assurances were given some 70 residents of the Knights Ferry area, Thursday night, that the famous covered bridge there would not be torn down, even if a new bridge is built across the river near the historical community.
County Director of Public Works Richard Barhite told the group, 'It won't be torn down.'
Sites for the proposed new bridge, which will cost about $750,000, Barhite said, are generally in the vicinity of the covered bridge, as the location is above flood danger. Exact routing was not determined.
The meeting of Knights Ferry residents, with Supervisor Robert Fahey and county road officials, was arranged by Mrs. M.E. Shuper." (Oakdale Leader)