SOQUEL AVENUE (SANTA CRUZ)
San Lorenzo River
1874: The 500 foot covered bridge built at a cost of $15,000. (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
May 1, 1875: " '$25 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk.' Somebody or several somebodies will consult their own interests by taking a candle along with them these dark evenings and just before crossing the new covered bridge on the run, stop to read the above notice and heed its warning. The officers have been notified and are on the lookout. This structure cost the county a good deal of money, and every person who owns an interest in it ought to use their influence to protect it from injury." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
November 17, 1877: "The covered bridge is a dark, dismal and lonely walk, and a good place to rob a traveler at midnight. There should be a lamp in the centre of the bridge and one at either end. At present there is but one, west end. Should the people of Branciforte petition the City Council for the placing of two lamps as suggested, we have no doubt the petition will be honored. Will they do it? If not, will the Council do what duty seems to demand?" (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
January 19, 1878: "Signatures are being obtained to a petition asking that the City Council establish two more lamps on the covered bridge, one in the center and the other at the east end. The prayers of the petitioners should not be made in vain." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
April 6, 1878: "Some weeks ago the Council ordered more light to be placed on the covered bridge, which as yet has not been done. Who is to blame? People who have to cross the bridge at night in the dark are complaining. Let there be light." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
April 20, 1878: "The Mayor was instructed to insure the covered bridge for $8,000 in a reliable company." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
June 29, 1878: "At the west end of the covered bridge, just where the planking ends, there is usually a chuck hole. Street Superintendent Harmon has dug this hole out and filled it with rock. The Superintendent is looking after the planking of the bridge." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
July 6, 1878: "Notices were ordered placed on the approaches to the covered bridge, forbidding fast driving." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
November 8, 1879: "The report of the City Engineer was received. He has established the roadbed of the Soquel road from the covered bridge to the city line, and also found that the house of Mrs. Remer, at the beach, encroached upon the street." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
December 27, 1879: "A communication was received from the agent of the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Co., calling attention to the unsafe condition of the coal oil lamp in the centre of the covered bridge, and asking that a new and safer lamp be placed there. Referred to the Street Commissioner to confer with A.A. Taylor, the agent, to place a suitable one there." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
December 11, 1880: "Street Commissioner was ordered to construct a crossing at east end of covered bridge, the lumber to be furnished by citizens." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
April 23, 1881: "The City Hall is to be painted and the covered bridge whitewashed inside and out." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
May 7, 1881: "It was ordered that bids be solicited for whitewashing the covered bridge two coats--white on the inside and some dark color outside." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
May 21, 1881: "The bids to whitewash the covered bridge were opened with the following result: W.F. Smith, $90; M. Seplenulias, $117; Miller and Becker, $120; E.W. Sherman, $180. The contract was awarded to W.F. Smith." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
October 6, 1883: "In laying down water pipes from Pacific Av. to the Pavilion the long covered gas pipes used to convey gas to the covered bridge were removed, the gas for the bridge being now supplied from the Front St. mains." (Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel)
December 17, 1883: "The gas mains have been laid across the covered bridge to the lamp on the other side, and for the first time gas was seen in Branchiforte last evening." (Santa Cruz Surf)
June 28, 1884: "Four horses attached to a lumber wagon took fright on Arcan street yesterday afternoon and ran across the covered bridge in defiance of the warning over the entrance, imposing a fine of $25 for going faster than a walk. The team stopped on the Soquel road. No damage was done." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
April 28, 1885: "The covered bridge is being repaired." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
August 26, 1885: "Work was begun today upon the approaches to the covered bridge which will be covered with asphaltum." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
August 28, 1885: "The electric light that was near the end of the covered bridge has been removed to a place in front of the Fair Pavilion, so as to throw the light on Front street and the bridge." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
October 6, 1885: "A large amount of labor has been put in on the lower or covered bridge in planking, repairing and covering with petroleum." (Santa Cruz Surf)
December 11, 1905: "Street Commissioner Greenfield had the interior of the covered bridge swept out Saturday." (Evening Sentinel)
February 9, 1906: "Manager Britton of the Santa Cruz Electric Light and Power Co., in compliment to Councilman Walti, is to place twelve lights on the covered bridge in addition to those already there." (Evening Sentinel)
August 9, 1906: "The covered bridge is closed to vehicles to allow repairs to be made to the western approach, caused at the time of the earthquake." (Evening Sentinel)
July 11, 1907: "Wesley Fanning, an aged resident of this city, was arrested for posting signs on the walls of the covered bridge, which is contrary to the ordinance. He appeared before Judge Stanley and plead guilty to the offense and upon promise to take the posters down from the walls and never again violate the ordinance he was allowed his freedom." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
August 24, 1907: "Chief of Police Armstrong Friday arrested a man for driving over the covered bridge faster than a walk. He deposited five dollars for his appearance in Judge Stanley's court, but failing to show up his deposit was forfeited." (Evening Sentinel)
July 6, 1909: "The confirmation of W.H. Conway as extra police officer until September 1st and W.E. Swerdfiger as ambulance driver was voted by the City Council this morning. The Superintendent of Streets was instructed to clean and whitewash the covered bridge on Soquel avenue. The Mayor's action in authorizing Chief Dougherty to find a special officer to enforce the speed ordinance on the same bridge was also approved." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
January 12, 1910: "Ed. Sentinel:---I certainly think that your expression on the matter of the old covered bridge is very commendable, for of all the eyesores that this city is afflicted with, I think, as many others do, that that is one of the worst. There is a great deal of talk about beautifying the city, but very little has been said except by yourself, about removing this hideous, abominable, unsightly structure, situated right in the very center of town, although its removal would be one of the greatest improvements that could be made, and at very little, if any expense. As I believe, many competent men could be found who would remove the covering for the lumber they would get from it, for, to say the least, they would get many cords of firewood and aside from that its destruction would remove a ponderous, unnecessary weight, and in that way tend to strengthen the bridge.
I want to suggest that our health officer condemn the covering as being unsanitary, for, as anyone knows who travels over the bridge, the odor from it is not very refreshing, and such as is never experienced with an open bridge. Moreover, as you remarked, it would be a vast improvement to remove the bridge cover and in the place of it have a few electroliers which would convert the bridge into an ornament instead of an eyesore, which it is today. An Old Citizen." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
April 15, 1910: "Mrs. William, an elderly lady residing at 41 Riverside avenue, was crossing the covered bridge this morning when her shoe picked up a great splinter on the foot walk, with the result that she fell flat on her face. She had to be helped home. It is said others, especially elderly people, have had a similar experience. Efforts to smooth the walk by surfacing it with bitumen have been made, but these do not appear to have proved successful." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
May 10, 1910: "Councilman Springer drew attention at the Monday Council meeting to the fact that automobiles were in the habit of racing over the covered bridge at great speed in their effort to get ahead of each other, causing the bridge to quiver as a leaf. He asked what the Council thought of the advisability of putting a stringer down the center of the floor of the bridge, one several inches high, to prevent these auto from trying to pass each other on it, and also serving to keep runaway horses to one side of the bridge.
Councilman Stilkeman stated the one objections that it would then be impossible for the fire wagon to be able to get ahead of the other vehicles on the bridge in case of a sudden call. So the stringer proposition may be abandoned, but something will certainly be done to stop such fast riding on the bridge." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
July 5, 1910: "Specifications for the replanking of the covered bridge were adopted and approved this morning." & "Superintendent Greenfield reported that the condition of the covered bridge needed immediate attention---that the heavy loads of rock now going over it were a menace. The work of repairing it must wait on the the advertising for bids so that the contract may be legally let." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
July 11, 1910: "Resolution for the replanking of the covered bridge was finally passed." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
August 6, 1910: "The vibration in the west approach to the covered bridge is now so great when a heavy team passes over it that the Fair Building Association has given instructions to the carpenters to leave a space of two inches between the approach and the building they are erecting. Attach such bridge to a building and its tenants would be made seasick whenever a loaded wagon went off or onto the bridge, and this vibration indicates weakness, dangerous weakness to man and beast.
We suggest that the west approach to the covered bridge be examined at once by the city authorities.
Is it not high time that solid approaches be made to the Soquel Av. bridge, by far the most traveled bridge in Santa Cruz? We think so. First build solid approaches to existing bridges, and later, when absolutely necessary, new, modern and up to date bridges." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
August 15, 1910: "Superintendent of Streets Greenfield explained to the council this morning the reason for the delay in the replanking of the covered bridge, referring in his remarks to an article appearing in the Sentinel commenting adversely on the delay. 'Mr. Allen, who holds the contract,' said Mr. Greenfield, 'has been disappointed in getting his lumber orders filled, and that accounts for the main delay.'
The council granted an extension of time to the contractor." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
August 18, 1910: "The work of replanking the covered bridge is now well under way, travel over it being stopped." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
December 14, 1911: "The covered bridge approaches were repaired with 8 new planks." & "The Soquel avenue covered bridge was cleaned once each week during the month." (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
September 22, 1913: "The covered bridge has been closed to traffic while the eastern approach is being replanked." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
May 19, 1914: "The report of Leonard & Day who were secured to inspect the covered bridge was read at this morning's council meeting. They stated that the old structure was very unsafe. On account of the construction of the crossing it is impossible to determine the weakest point, many timbers being worm-eaten and rotten. The piers are very weak, some of the piles being completely rotted through. The bridge was built in 1874, just forty years ago." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
July 16, 1914: "In pursuance of a resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Cruz, the undersigned hereby invites sealed proposals or bids for the repair of the covered bridge carrying Soquel Avenue over the San Lorenzo River, in said City, in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor heretofore adopted by said Council and now on file in my office, which plans and specifications are hereby referred to for further particulars.
Said bids must be delivered at my office in the City Hall on Front Street in said City at or before the hour of 5 o'clock p.m., on Monday, July 27, 1914, and the same will be opened and declared by said Council at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28th, 1914.
Said Council reserves the right to reject any bid deemed excessive.
J.L. Wright, Clerk of said City of Santa Cruz, Dated: July 15, 1914." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
August 11, 1914: "On the motion of Commissioner P.C. Morrisey, the council this morning laid over for one week the consideration of the repairs of the Soquel avenue (covered) bridge. W.P. Baxter, the only bidder, submitted a proposal of $3516 for the repairs.
Commissioner Morrisey stated that on account of the agitation at this time for a new bridge he would recommend that the proposition to repair the bridge be laid over until the petitions now being circulated asking for a bond election can be filed." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
July 13, 1920: "C.E. Greenfield presented a written communication to the commissioners in regard to covered bridge conditions, which called attention to the bad condition of the approaches on both ends and of the vital necessity of regulating traffic, especially in regard to hauling of heavy loads over the roadway and likewise the lack of caution paid to speeding by autos and other vehicles. Strict measures will be taken to enforce all ordinances." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
September 21, 1920: "Following the accident of Monday morning, when a truck heavily loaded with cement came close to going through the approach leading to the covered bridge, the commissioners, to guard against the possibility of the city assuming any liability in case of a serious accident of this nature, decided to limit tonnage not to exceed five tons to any vehicle. Signs of warning will be posted accordingly in conspicuous positions at the east and west end approaches to the covered bridge." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
October 6, 1920: "In order to regulate tonnage not to exceed five tons over the covered bridge on Soquel avenue, the city council has instructed the street department that printed signs to that effect be placed at the east and west approaches to the bridge.
With no warning signs to notify truckmen and teamsters of the action taken by the commissioners two weeks ago, this order has not been very rigidly enforced to speak of. With warning signs, teamsters attempting to go over the bridge with excessive tonnage will do so at their own risk." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
February 24, 1921: "At the regular weekly session of the council preliminary provision was made for the advertising for bids for the dismantling of the old covered bridge over the San Lorenzo river to make way for the building of the new concrete and steel girder structure by McLaren & Peterson, the San Francisco contracting firm. In this undertaking the city reserves the right to reject any and all bids, if they consider them excessive, in which event the city might possibly undertake the work as an economy measure." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
March 8, 1921: "Sealed proposals for wrecking the covered bridge over the San Lorenzo river at Soquel avenue were opened at this morning's session of the commissioners, but there was no great rush on the part of the contractors to bid on the work. Only two bids were received, that of N.M. Thies of Santa Cruz and McLaren and Peterson of San Francisco.
After the council had taken a short adjournment the bid of N.M. Thies was accepted, it being far lower than the bid of the San Francisco firm having the contract to build the new bridge.
The work of tearing down the old bridge must be done according to the direction of City Engineer James, and upon such conditions and terms as may be imposed by him. The bid of Mr. Thies amounted to $3300." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
March 17, 1921: "Contractor N.M. Their, in wrecking the old covered bridge, is giving preference to Santa Cruz labor. The contractor, is carrying on a plan of systematic work and will devote his entire attention to first removing the superstructure of the bridge, which includes the covered portion and a veritable network of wooden girders and cross-sections of beams that are securely fastened together by hundreds and hundreds of iron bolts. The substantial nature of the old structure asserted itself on more than one occasion during flood seasons in the years gone by when the raging torrents of the San Lorenzo river, carrying masses of drift down stream, frequently washed out bridges, including railroad structures. The bridge had many a close call but the log jams against the main supporting bulkheads were always removed in time by hard work work before the worst happened." (Santa Cruz Evening News)
May 21, 1921: "Contractor N. M. Thies completed his contract in wrecking the old covered bridge today, thereby removing a landmark that has stood in position since the year 1874. City Engineer James announces that Mr. Thies carried out all plans agreed upon and made an excellent job of it. The latter will continue to work for McLaren & Peterson, in the construction of the new bridge. Some of the larger timbers taken from the old bridge have been loaned temporarily to the contractors to aid them in construction work." (Santa Cruz Evening News)