The 1937 Weddle Covered Bridge is a 120-foot (37 m) long wooden covered bridge in Sweet Home, Linn County, Oregon. The original bridge over Thomas Creek was named after a farmer who lived nearby, but it was also known as the Devaney Bridge for another early resident. Similar to other covered bridges along Thomas Creek, the Weddle Bridge featured a Howe truss, segmented portal arches, large side openings, and white board-and-batten siding. The bridge was originally replaced by a concrete bridge in 1980 and was scheduled to be destroyed in 1987.

The Weddle Covered Bridge is a typical example of Linn County’s open-sided covered bridges. Many Linn County residents believed that this bridge was lost forever when it was yanked apart by workers in October 1987 after spanning Thomas Creek for 50 years. This action sparked protests by local covered bridge enthusiasts. As the story goes, one person chained himself to a bulldozer to prevent the bridge’s demise.

To save the bridge, local activists staged protests and persuaded former Oregon Senator Mae Yih to help save the bridge. Through her efforts, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Covered Bridge Program, which helped fund covered bridge maintenance and rehabilitation projects throughout the state. The Weddle Bridge was the first to receive grants from the program.

In 1989, using these funds as well as funds from residents, a Sweet Home group called the Cascade Forest Resource Center rebuilt the Weddle Bridge across Ames Creek in Sankey Park. Also assisting in the project were the Covered Bridge Society of Oregon, which raised additional funds, and the Jordan Bridge Company, which had built the Jordan Bridge in Stayton.

The bridge was temporarily closed in 2005 after an engineering inspection determined that repairs were necessary. Proceeds from the Oregon Jamboree Country Music Festival and donations of cash or building materials from several businesses and individuals made the repairs possible. The bridge has been used for public events such as fundraisers for Breast Cancer detection and related services, or for private events such as weddings.

In addition to the historic value, Weddle Bridge stands as an example of what can be done to preserve Oregon’s covered bridges.

Located at:  N44 23.678    W122 43.594       -       WGCB #37-22-05

Photographed in May of 2025

Photos by Millard Farmer