Some bridges you crossed
on your own
no matter who drove you
to the edge.
...J.R. Ward
I am not a fan of truss bridges as they remind me of an erector set and are not that attractive. However, the history of the Folsom Historic Truss Bridge I found to be interesting.
This bridge was originally built across the American River in 1893 replacing the Ecklon Toll Bridge, a suspension bridge that had collapsed. The Truss Bridge was abandoned in 1919 when the Rainbow Bridge opened. The bridge was to be shipped to Japan but the war intervened and the bridge remained untouched until 1930. The bridge remained in place until the State of California bought it for $250 and moved it to Siskiyou County as a crossing for the Klamath River. From 1930 until the late 1990's it was known as Walker Bridge, as it spanned the Klamath River from Walker Road. When Siskiyou County decided they no longer needed the bridge in 1998, Folsom bought it back. The original footings were still in place but they and the bridge were totally rebuilt and reinstalled. On April 15, 2000 it was reopened for public use as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge. In recognition that its original design was not for automobiles, there is a sign on each end of the bridge which reads: $5 fine for driving over this bridge faster than a walk. $25 fine for driving more than 20 head of horses, 50 head of cattle or 200 sheep, hogs or goats over this bridge at one time.
We stood on this bridge the day of the 100th birthday of the Rainbow Bridge and took photos before were were allowed to walk on the Rainbow Bridge, after they cut the ribbon and every city official had a chance to speak. :)
