History - The Wagon Bridge in Sandpoint
by Bob Gunter
Word had come to the doctor in Sandpoint that his help was needed on the South side of the river. It was 1907 and the doctor must make a decision on how he was to reach his patient. He had two options open to him. He could walk across the railroad trestle, which took a lot of time and was dangerous or he could get someone to row him across the river, which also took time. People in the area of Sagle had been doing this very thing for some time. The difficulty in getting to Sandpoint was the reason most of the ranchers ordered their goods from Spokane and had them dropped by train.
For years the ranchers on the South side had looked across the water at Sandpoint and wished for a way to get their goods to the people just a short distance away. The merchants of Sandpoint also looked across the water and wished for a way to get the ranchers across the water so they could buy locally rather than mail order from Spokane.
The ranchers made the first move and petitioned Bonner County to build a ferry. They promised to raise some money to help with the expense. The Sandpoint merchants, who would be getting the trade of about 200 people, spoke in favor of the ferry and together they raised $10,000. The county agreed to cover any other expenses incurred.
When all the reports and plans had been examined it was estimated that a ferry would cost $18,000. It was found that a bridge over the river would cost just $2,000 more than the ferry. The commissioners decided a bridge was the way to go and voted to get started. It was estimated that it would take about six months to complete the new bridge.
On 26 May 1908 the first piling for the bridge was driven. When completed the bridge was supported by 1,540 pilings and covered a distance of almost two miles. It was advertised as the longest wooden bridge in the world.
At a commissioner's meeting a small problem arose. How was the boat traffic that traveled the river to the lake, and vice versa, going to get under the bridge? Someone suggested that a drawbridge be considered and all felt that this was the only solution to the problem. In June of 1909 a contract for a steel lift was awarded and work on the bridge got started again. After numerous problems the bridge was completed and ready for use on March 11, 1910. It had been almost three years under construction and the total cost was $50,000.
When completed the bridge was about 200 feet short of two miles long. It served the area for many years until in the 1930's it was torn down to make room for a new bridge.
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All photographs have been used with permission of the Bonner County Museum.
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