The 1938 Earnest Bridge, located near Marcola, in Lane County, Oregon, was built for $2,449, which included $72 for tearing the old bridge down. This Howe truss bridge’s name is spelled Ernest Bridge in some documents, including the National Registry of Historic Places listing, but spelled Earnest Bridge in the NRHP nomination and in signage on the bridge itself.

The slightly longer and original Adams Bridge was first built here by A.N. Striker in 1903 to cross the Mohawk River. Eventually dilapidated, this 83-foot structure was torn down and replaced by Lane County in 1938, and it is believed that the new bridge was named after local area residents. Lane County was also building Wendling and Goodpasture during that year. The new bridge had upper chord dimensions of 12 x 12 x 50 feet and lower dimensions of 12 x 14 x 81.5 feet. Like many Lane County bridges, the Earnest Bridge features a small window on one side for motorists to view oncoming traffic. At one time, circus posters lined the interior.

Sometimes called the Mohawk River Bridge, this classic white-covered bridge served as a movie location in the 1960s James Stewart film titled “Shenandoah”. The film company altered the bridge to meld with a Civil War era look, and then, post-filming, restored it with new siding and paint in 1965.

The Earnest Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Located at:  N44 12.077   W122 50.161      -      WGCB #37-20-35

Photographed in May of 2025

Photos by Millard Farmer