The Drift Creek Covered Bridge Is The Oldest In Oregon

Oregon is home to more than 50 covered bridges. Each one is unique, and many are downright photo-worthy. We recently made a list of 11 of our favorite beautiful covered bridges, but we have so many more that we love! The oldest covered bridge in the Beaver State was built in 1914, and thanks to some loving attention from members in the community of Otis, it’s still around for you to visit.

You’ll find the Drift Creek Bridge in Otis, along Bear Creek Road.

Kirt Edblom/flickr

Bear Creek? Yes. The bridge now spans Bear Creek, not Drift Creek, and there’s a story about that.

CanineTraveler2/Tripadvisor

Drift Creek Bridge was originally built in 1914. It served as a thoroughfare for vehicles traveling along the coast. When a new route was established, Drift Creek Bridge was converted to a pedestrian bridge.

Sing PaPa/Google

By the 1980s, the bridge was in bad shape. It was rotting away, and deemed unsafe. The community wanted to keep the bridge for its rich history, and Laura and Kerry Sweitz stepped up to offer a public easement for the bridge.

David Grimberg/Google

In 1997, the Drift Creek Bridge was dismantled, and the boards were given to the Sweitz family, who, with the help of community members in the town of Otis, rebuilt the bridge. It sits just eight miles from it’s original home on Drift Creek.

Troy Cox/Google

Today, you’ll find a sign inside the bridge that says, “Faith can build a bridge.” It took a lot of hard work from volunteers, monetary donations from community members, and plenty of perseverance and faith, but the bridge was rebuilt.

Kelly Raymond/Google

The bridge sits on private property, spanning Bear Creek. It’s closed to vehicle traffic (except for the family who lives on the other side of the bridge), but pedestrians are welcome to walk through the bridge and admire it.

Kirk Baillie/Google

The next time you’re visiting the coast, seek out Drift Creek Bridge. Not only is it a beautiful piece of preserved history; it’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together.

Eric Pena/Google

Have you visited the Drift Creek Covered Bridge? We’d love to hear about your visit and see your photos in the comments!