The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St Paul Railway, later called the Milwaukee Road, built the Dungeness River Bridge (now just called Railroad Bridge) over 3-4 weeks in the summer of 1915. They operated the rail line from Port Townsend to Port Angeles and then west to connect with several logging railroads, carrying mostly timber, though there was a passenger service until the 1930s. The Milwaukee Road sold the line to the Seattle and North Coast Railroad in 1980 who, in-turn, abandoned the line in 1985. The last train crossed the bridge in March, 1985.
The total length of the bridge, truss plus trestle, is over 730 feet long, making Railroad Bridge the longest bridge on the Dungeness River.
The bridge is a modified Howe-through truss. In 1982, when the bridge was placed on the National Historic Register, it was one of only three Howe-through truss bridges remaining in the state.
Of course, the bridge is only part of the 53-acre Railroad Bridge Park, which is privately owned by the Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe.
Not quite sure what this Anna’s Hummingbird is doing, but it was entertaining to watch!
Looking north over the Dungeness River from the Dungeness River Bridge.
Turn around and there’s another gorgeous view of the Dungeness River.
Spotted an American Dipper in the river. Another bird to add to the gallery!
One of the triangular trusses on the bridge.
These hexagonal bolts along the wooden walkway at the east end of the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, I ambled along the Olympic Discovery Trail, enjoying the sun and the chance to get outdoors.
Pretty sure these are blackberries, but I wasn’t going to climb through the brambles to verify!
More shapes! This patch of moss looks like a heart.
Spring is just around the corner. These red-flowering currants are starting to bloom.
Here’s looking at you!
Milwaukee No. 2217 Work-train on left; Dungeness bridge and river in center; flatcar with timbers on right, circa 1920. Photo courtesy of the North Olympic Heritage — Bert Kellogg Photograph Collection.
Links of Interest:
- Dungeness River Audubon Center website
- Nomination Form for Dungeness River Bridge, National Register of Historic Places
As a resident of Sequim Washington I enjoy taking my family to this historical spot. Spring and summer are excellent times to visit, the green of the trees an chirping of the birds.
Also, as a FPV pilot I have hopes of a flight this spring. My plan is to capture a cinematic perspective of this location and to upload the video via YouTube. Railroad Bridge is a big to-do on my bucket list.
If plans work out and you do get video, drop the link here, as I’d love to see it!
So relaxing and beautiful, awaiting the expansion!
I’ve walked the old railroad grade from the end of the Larry Scott Trail at Discovery Road near Four Corners all the way to Discovery Bay at the Highway 20 – 101 Junction when it was still a active railroad and the scenic views were absolutely breathtaking. It’s absolutely criminal that the old railroad grade reverted to private ownership when the railroad abandoned the grade and it didn’t become part of The Larry Scott Trail and The Olympic Trail.
As usual, great pictures and also very interesting. Keep up the good work!