Gilkey Covered Bridge
Gilkey is an active covered bridge built in 1939. It earned a spot on the historic register in 1987.
This is easily one of the most photogenic bridges in Oregon. Pack a PB&J and a bag of Kettle Chips made in Salem, Oregon, set up your tri-pod or mono-pod and plan to spend time watching the bridge change with the sun.
Gilkey is magical. The bridge spans Thomas Creek. The location of the bridge and road allow for a variety of locations to explore and photograph.
This image is facing north.
Low water levels allow for exploration below the bridge deck. The image focuses on the abutment front face. The bridge is named after a Gilkey railroad station. On the right of the image is the current railroad bridge. Check out this Ben Maxwell image that includes both the covered bridge and the railroad bridge Gilkey and Railroad Bridge
Gilkey is an open-sided bridge which reveals the Howe truss system. William Howe (1803 - 1852) was granted his first truss patent in 1840. The “configuration used easy-to-erect and readily prefabricated components that could be assembled on site and adjusted via threaded connections at the rod ends” (2005, p. 45). The Howe truss system is second in popularity. The Burr system is the most popular (2005, p. 46).
Source: Department of Transportation Covered Bridge Manual
Here is a fun video on how to build a truss structure using popsicle sticks. Truss System
Gilkey Covered Bridge Key
🚚Active Bridge - This is an active bridge with traffic.
🛣️Road Side Parking - This is an active bridge without parking. One must pull off the road and engage hazard lights.
☕Coffee - fill your Thermos or Stanley.
📷Tripod or monopod recommended.
