Short Covered Bridge – The Only Covered Bridge Over the South Santiam River
• Short Covered Bridge is a historic wooden structure • This is the only covered bridge left over the South Santiam River
One of the 17 Oregon's covered Howe truss-style bridges, the Short Bridge is located 12 miles to the east of Sweet Home by the small community of Cascadia.
This is the only remaining historic covered bridge over the South Fork of the Santiam River.
This 105 feet bridge is open for traffic, carrying High Deck Road over the river. Its unique feature is a wooden shingle roof since there are only a few bridges left with such material used.
The bridge was constructed in 1945 and was first known as Whiskey Butte Bridge, but later renamed after a local resident Gordon Short.
In 1979, this covered bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, major work was done to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge and its overall condition.
Cascadia Day-Use Area at Highway 20 offers parking with picnic tables and an information kiosk explaining the history of the area.
The stretch of the river below the covered bridge is a great spot for swimming, wading, and rockhounding. The trail to the river is short but steep.
Day-Use Area
Bridge View
Trail
Covered Bridge
Short Covered Bridge | Facts
Architectural Bridge Design: Howe truss
Bridge access: Pedestrian and vehicle
Stream: South Santiam River
Bridge Length: 105 ft (32 m)
Built: 1945
