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Vance Mill and Lumber Company or Humboldt Northern Railroad (relocated), Humboldt County

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Inventory Number: CA/05-12-18x
County: Humboldt County
Township:
Town/Village: Tyee City
Bridge Name: Vance Mill and Lumber Company or Humboldt Northern Railroad (relocated)
Crosses: Mad River
Truss type: Howe
Spans: 2
Length: c240'
Roadway Width:
Built: c1875 (M1896)
Builder:
When Lost: 1903
Cause: Dismantled
Latitude: N40 55.45
Longitude: W124 07.22
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: On the Eureka and Klamath River Railroad, later Southern Pacific.

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Comments:
At Tyee City on the Southern Pacific Railroad. This bridge was originally built for the Humboldt Bay & Trinidad Railroad and was part of the John Vance Mill & Lumber Company. When the railroad was sold in 1896, the covered bridge was dropped into the river and hauled down river by tugboat to Tyee City on the Eureka and Klamath River Railroad (E&KR). After its relocation, the bridge was rebuilt in 1903 in the Southern Pacific style and reportedly was three spans of 150 feet each. In 1941, the covered portion was significantly shortened and the bulk of the crossing was made using a steel Pennsylvania (Camelback) through truss from a Washington location and a plate girder span. At this time, it is thought that the covered portion was around 80 feet in length. Based on the current configuration of the bridge, the short covered span was the northernmost of the three spans. The bridge ultimately came into ownership by the Humboldt Northern railroad, who replaced the covered portion in 1955. The crossing is now part of the Hammond Coastal Trail.

Source:
Adams, Kramer. Covered Bridges of the West: A History and Illustrated Guide, 1963, page 58