• Grave Creek Bridge is the sole remaining covered bridge in the county
• The bridge derives its name from a tragic event that happened in 1846
Grave Creek Covered Bridge sits in the picturesque Sunny Valley, 16 miles north of Grants Pass. It is the sole remaining covered bridge in Josephine County and one of the few left in southern Oregon.
The bridge spans 105 feet (32 m) across Grave Creek and features a distinctive Howe truss design, rounded portals, and six Gothic-style windows on each side.
It's covered structure also features a shake roof to protect the wooden decking from Oregon's harsh weather. That was the right engineering decision since it extended the bridge's lifespan from about 10 years to over a century.
The bridge is still open to traffic. It is also the only covered bridge visible from the I-5, making it a unique and easily accessible spot for travelers and photographers.
Grave Creek Covered Bridge History
The bridge was constructed in 1920 by Elmer J. Nelson as a part of the then-new Pacific Highway project. The construction cost was $21,128.65 ($329,963.14 in today's dollars).
With the construction of the I-5, the project became obsolete but still used for local traffic. In the late 1990s, the bridge was closed for significant repairs but was reopened in 2001.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, among other Oregon covered bridges like the Wildcat Creek Covered Bridge.
A Site of Remembrance and Tragedy
The bridge derives its name from a tragic event in 1846. Martha Leland Crowley, a 16-year-old girl traveling with the first emigrant train from Idaho, died of typhoid fever.
She was buried 150 feet north of the creek near the white oak tree. This event marked the area significantly, influencing the name of "Grave Creek" and later the bridge's name.
Grave Creek Covered Bridge | Facts
Architectural Bridge Design: Howe truss
Bridge access: Vehicle
Stream: Grave Creek
Bridge Length: 105 ft (32 m)
Built: 1920
Repaired: 2001
Open: Year-round
Elevation: 1,100 ft (335 m)
Grave Creek Covered Bridge is located:
- 16 miles north of Roseburg
- 44 miles northwest of Medford
- 56 miles northwest of Ashland.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Grave Creek Covered Bridge
From Grants Pass,
- Take I-5 North
- Take exit 71 toward Sunny Valley
- Turn left onto Sunny Valley Loop and follow it for 0.3 miles.
Address: Sunny Valley, OR 97497