• Wendling Covered Bridge is one of four Lane County covered bridges built in 1938
The Wendling Covered Bridge crosses Mill Creek near Marcola, tucked in the Cascade foothills on Wendling Road. This bright, simple bridge sits about 17 miles northeast of Springfield, an easy side trip off Marcola Road.
Built in 1938 for $2,241, the 60-foot (18 m) Howe truss remains open to local traffic but restricted to vehicles under 10 tons. Semi‑elliptical portal arches and slim ribbon openings along the eaves let soft light wash through the timber frame.
I like how the deck planks rumble as you roll across. You hear the creek below and feel the cool air drift in. Do you enjoy that calm wood‑and‑water vibe too? It’s simple, but it stays with you.
If you want to keep exploring, pair this bridge with the nearby Earnest Covered Bridge, and add Pengra and Goodpasture for a full Lane County covered bridge loop. Cyclists can follow Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARS) 51‑mile (82 km) ride from Alton Baker Park to Wendling. There’s also a local geocache if you like a quick, fun find.
Wendling Covered Bridge History
If you love Oregon covered bridges, this site tells a classic Lane County story. In 1938, the county built four covered bridges: Wendling, Pengra, Goodpasture, and Earnest. A. C. Striker was the county bridge superintendent. Budgets were tight, so crews used single‑piece chords on short spans like this. On November 29, 1979, Wendling joined the National Register of Historic Places.
The name honors George X. Wendling, a Booth‑Kelly Lumber Company director whose investment helped the company expand in the Mohawk Valley in 1899. The nearby community and post office were named after him. Locals also call this the Mill Creek Bridge.
Time left some quirky marks. Inside, the walls once held circus posters (like a Barnes and Beatty’s Circus sheet) pasted between truss members. Moisture and curious hands wore them away, much like at the Earnest Bridge.
Why is this bridge so special?
Historic Significance: Built in 1938 by Lane County for $2,241; added to the National Register in 1979; one of four county covered bridges constructed that year.
Still in Service: Open to vehicles up to 10 tons; maximum height 11'11"; closed to trucks; carries Wendling Road over Mill Creek.
Architectural Details: Compact, well‑proportioned span set in the Cascade foothills near Marcola/Wendling, with a bright interior and steady timber frame.
Oregon’s 1938 Lane County Quartet
Lane County leaned on covered bridges to serve timber towns and farms. In 1938 alone, crews finished Wendling, Pengra, Goodpasture, and Earnest. These spans linked mills, ranches, and market roads. As highways grew and trucks got heavier, many older bridges vanished. Wendling remains because local roads stayed light and the bridge kept its daily role.
Local moments bring it to life. Drivers talk about the soft plank rumble under their tires. Photographers like the warm afternoon glow on the west portal. Cyclists enjoy the steady climb from Springfield and the cool pause by Mill Creek. Simple scenes, but they linger.
Wendling Covered Bridge | Facts
Architectural Bridge Design: Howe truss
Bridge access: Vehicles up to 10 tons; max height 11'11"; no trucks
Stream: Mill Creek
Bridge Length: 60 ft (18 m)
Built: 1938
Elevation: 626 ft (190 m)
Wendling Covered Bridge is located:
- 17 miles northeast of Springfield
- 24 miles northeast of Eugene
- 127 miles south of Portland.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Wendling Covered Bridge
From I-5,
- Take Exit 194A in Eugene for Highway OR 126 East toward Springfield
- Follow OR 126 for 4 miles to 42nd Street
- Turn left onto 42nd Street, and after 0.5 miles, bear right onto Marcola Road; continue for about 10 miles to Wendling Road
- Turn right onto Wendling Road and follow it for 3.5 miles the bridge.