What to do on the People’s Coast

• Drift Creek Covered Bridge

  1111 Bear Creek Rd

  Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

  The oldest covered bridge in Oregon, built in 1914. The bridge has a Howe Truss and is 66 feet in length. After being destroyed by a flood it was rebuilt in 1933 by J.V. Curry of Toledo. By the time the bridge was doomed to demolition for safety reasons by the Lincoln County Commissioners in 1997, local, state and federal funds for renovation had virtually disappeared. Determined not to lose this piece of history, north Lincoln County residents Kerry and Laura Sweitz came forward and offered to move the bridge – board by board – to their Rose Lodge property eight miles away. There, the couple just happened to have a concrete span over Bear Creek whose dimensions exactly matched those of the covered. Bridge. It took four years, many major fundraisers, a host of volunteers, and several more events before Drift Creek covered bridge was completely reassembled and ready for re-dedication on July 14, 2001. The structure has become a popular place for reunions and weddings and even a little “hoedown” inside the bridge. The non-profit “Save the Covered Bridge” group established by Kerry and Laura Sweitz is still in existence today. HOW TO GET THERE: From Lincoln City, turn east onto Hwy 18. From the Williamette Valley, drive west on Hwy 18 towards the coast. At milepost 4.9, turn south onto Bear Creek Road. After approximately one mile you will see the bridge on the left-hand side. The bridge is on private property; visitors are asked to park along Bear Creek Road and walk the rest of the way to the bridge.

  http://www.oregon.com/covered_bridges/bridges/bear_creek.cfm

• Fisher School (Five Rivers) Covered Bridge

  Yachats, Oregon 97498

  Built in 1919, this bridge has a Howe Truss and is 72 feet long. The last of Lincoln County’s covered bridges to be restored, the Fisher bridge was formally rededicated on June 4, 2005. This time there were federal and state transportation funds available for the project, which came to about $700,000. Originally built for $2,500, the Fisher bridge is one of Oregon’s coldest covered bridges and was placed on the National Historic Registry in 1976. It is speculated the bridge may have been destroyed and rebuilt in 1927 (thus the date posted on a sign above the portal), but records show 1919 as the original date. The bridge spans a fork of Five Rivers and is located next to the former Fisher Elementary School, which is why the bridge is known by both names. HOW TO GET THERE: From Waldport, drive east on Hwy 34. Turn south at milepost 20 onto Five Rivers Road. Drive 9.4 miles up Five Rivers Road to Crab Creek Road, where the bridge is located.

• Heceta Head Lighthouse

  Hwy 101 S

  Florence, Oregon 97439

  Named after Don Bruno de Heceta, a Spanish explorer, Heceta Head lighthouse is located north of Florence. This 56-foot tower was first lit in 1894. This lighthouse is 205 feet above the ocean and the light sits at the top of the 56' tower illuminated in 1894. A half-mile hike will lead visitors to this lighthouse, in addition to seabird nesting sites and nearby Bed and Breakfasts located in the assistant keeper's home. The short 1/2 mile hike to the top of the lighthouse from the parking lot is well worth the effort. The spectacular view makes it a great place to share a kiss or for a picnic. Open daily, May-September and Friday-Monday during March, April and October for tours.

  http://www.hecetalighthouse.com/
• 

  Oregon Parks & Recreation

  5580 S Coast Hwy

  Newport, Oregon 97366

  (541) 867-7451
  http://www.oregonstateparks.org
• 

  Tillamook Cheese Factory

  4175 Highway 101 N

  Tillamook, Oregon 97141

  (503) 815-1300

  Cheese, ice cream, sampling counter, fudge, cafe and gift shop.

  http://www.tillamookcheese.com/

Brought to you by OCVA in association with Travel Oregon & Wildernet