The 1998 Stayton–Jordan Bridge is a covered bridge located in Stayton in Marion County, Oregon. It carries foot traffic over the Salem Power Canal in Pioneer Park. The canal is a diversion from the North Santiam River.

A 1937 predecessor of the 1998 structure was a covered bridge spanning Thomas Creek near Lyons in Linn County. This bridge location had once been the site for a dam, a cheese factory, two mills, and a general store. Built in 1937, it was one of seven similar Linn County covered bridges with large side openings. Known as the Jordan Bridge, it took its name from the rural community of Jordan, which was nearby.

In 1986, after Linn County officials decided to replace the bridge, a group of Stayton residents acquired the dismantled structure and, with the help of volunteers and Marine Corps reservists, they rebuilt it in Stayton. The process of rebuilding the Jordan Bridge took nearly two years, culminating in a dedication ceremony in June 1988, when the rebuilt bridge opened to pedestrian traffic connecting two parks. However, in December 1994, Christmas lights set fire to the bridge roof, due to kids shooting at the lights with a BB Gun, and the rest of the structure was either destroyed or too badly damaged to be salvaged.

In the Tuesday, December 27, 1994, edition of The Stayton Mail, the headlines read "A community dream in ashes." The bridge had caught fire on December 20th at 2 a.m. when the Christmas lights ignited the roof. Photos of the still-standing charred trusses depicted the scene. The city decided to demolish the trusses and burn what remained of the bridge.

In 1997-98, residents subsequently built a new, nearly identical bridge at the site, incorporating laminated members for added strength. The opening ceremony was held in September 1998. In addition to functioning as a public footbridge, the structure is sometimes reserved for private events such as weddings.

Located at:  N44 47.914   W122 47.154       -       WGCB #37-24-02

Photographed in May of 2025

Photos by Millard Farmer