O'BYRNE'S FERRY
Stanislaus River
March 23, 1863: "New Bridge.--A company has been organized, with a capital stock of $25,000, to build a new bridge over the Stanislaus at O'Byrne's Ferry." (Stockton Independent)
June 23, 1864: "UNION BRIDGE. The public are informed that the new bridge across the Stanislaus river at O'Byrne's Ferry, (called the Union Bridge) has been completed, and is now open for travel. It is one of the most substantial structures in the State--capable of bearing any weight that may be placed upon it. The route from Stockton, via Copperopolis and this bridge, is much the shortest to Tuolumne county. R. Ruply & Co., Proprietors." (Stockton Independent)
April 12, 1865: "UNION BRIDGE at O'Byrne's Ferry. We would respectfully invite the attention of the traveling public of this State to our Road, and ask them to travel over it and see for themselves the great improvements that have been made. The hills on both sides of the river have been greatly improved, and the entire length of the Road pit in good order.
Loaded Teams, running over the road from Stockton to Sonora and Columbia, have made the trip in one day less time than by any other road they can travel. This road connects with three turnpike roads at Copperopolis.
The public will find it to their advantage to travel over our Road in preference to any other. We have the STRONGEST BRIDGE in the State to cross, and charge the most reasonable toll. This road also connects with the Sonora and Mono road and the Big Tree road.
For driving loose stock, this road has no equal for good advantages, as there is grass and water in abundance the whole year round.
The advantages this road has over any other, are too numerous to mention. Call and see for yourselves. The road will be kept in thorough repair the whole year round to insure safe and speedy travel. UNION BRIDGE CO., O'Byrne's Ferry." (Stockton Independent)
1906: The toll bridge purchased by Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties ending the fee to cross.
February 16, 1956: "There was a real ferry operated by a large chain cable across the Stanislaus River from 1852 to 1862. Then in 1862 this covered Truss Bridge was erected by the Union Bridge Co. for Pete O'Byrne and for some unknown reason all thru the years it has been called a ferry.
Shortly after finished one of the inside main beams warped and engineers predicted it would collapse but it still seems to be as strong as ever.
It may soon be removed due to plans to build a reservoir above. The dozens of mud Swallows happily nesting along the under girders will have to find new homes." (The Placer Herald)
October 23, 1957: "The 100 year-old O'Byrne's Ferry Bridge one of the last covered spans in California, was sold at auction Monday for $250.
Buyers were Clifton Mitchell, Calaveras county cattleman, and H. Hobbs, Merced auto dealer." (The Times Standard)
November 1, 1957: "Two men who last week purchased the 99-year-old O'Byrne's Ferry Covered Bridge for $250 at public auction have offer to donate the structure for a historical monument, if $5,000 can be raised to float the span to a site donated one mile downstream.
Clifton Mitchell of Vallecito and Herman Hobbs of Oakdale told the Calaveras and Tuolumne Historical Societies and the Copperopolis Community Center their offer will be held open 60 days. The groups earlier failed in a campaign to establish the bridge as a historical monument.
Spokesmen for the societies told the pair they do not have the money, but launched plans for a fund campaign.
If the drive does not succeed, Hobbs and Mitchell to move half the bridge to his land downstream, and for Hobbs to convert his half into a boat landing dock.
They said they will be able to float the structure away probably next week, when a new bridge upstream is opened. O'Byrne's Ferry spans the river on the Copperopolis to Sonora Road." (Oakland Tribune)