Visiting the Century-old Winchester Bridge and Dam on Highway 99

[@johnlord8337]

Alcoves - like in underground rail tunnels - were meant as a byproduct on bridges for people in the 1930s. They could watch the traffic and walk between alcoves, getting from one end of the bridge to the other end, as cars/trucks whizzed by. This would stop any pedestrian accidents as that sidewalk is barely a 1-legged sidewalk vs a 2-legged sidewalk to walk on - let alone walk a bicycle then. Highways in those days were for cars/trucks (still are), and any walkers or bikers had no priorities (like today) ... so alcoves were pedestrian safety spots.

[@garyjennyfrost9485]

I always wondered about that. I used to ride that very bridge in my teens. The main trucks on it back then was the log trucks and they rarely slow down for anything smaller than them..

[@deanfirnatine7814]

I liked those alcoves as a kid crossing that bridge with my fishing pole

[@elizabethbogle3533]

Ò

[@boomtownrat5106]

Thank you for drawing attention to these historic highways. I have a son who lives in the Portland, Oregon area, and I regularly drive up there. How many times I’ve been on interstate 5 through Roseburg and never noticed historic Highway 99. I did some research to find out who was Robert A Booth. His father was a known Methodist circuit rider in the Oregon Territory. Mr. Booth, was founder of a lumber company and also a state senator. In reference to the plaque you saw on the bridge, he was a leader in the formulation of the Oregon highway system and served as chairman of the highway commission.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I had to look him up when I got back to my hotel. Wish there would have been some sort of sign there, but I figured at the time they put the plaques up everyone probably knew who he was.

[@TheStuport]

I absolutely LOVED you sharing your memories of visiting your Grandparents on your Mom's side Steve! ❤ I bet you can still remember how sweet the air was back in your youth and how excited you would be in traveling to get there! Such an honor to have you think of your Fan Base this much to include us! Those Bridges are marvels to me in that they were built over a hundred years ago and Still Standing Tall! Was great when that one fish @ 11:30 that "Smiled For The Camera" when you were saying how many times you were bummed as a kid when no fish were seen by you! As always Steve, Thank you for bringing us Fans along! Fun, entertaining and learned some cool stuff! Cheers From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋🙏

[@speedsteel5784]

Steve's channel is very relaxing. I was going to add my own comment, but figured I would reply to the comment of a fellow Buckeye.

[@TheStuport]

@@speedsteel5784 I'd love to read your feelings and thoughts on this video Steel! Love Steve's Field trips and I also enjoy reading the comments from The Fans who ride along in The Sidetrack Adventures Posse! Cheers and O-H

[@speedsteel5784]

@@TheStuport Steve provides a lot of detail about the places he does videos on and this area touches his life. I remember many things I did with my grandparents and those are memories I will cherish for the rest of my days. While they are different memories, they are once Steve and I will always remember. I pray you had a great day. I-O.

[@reddfoxx897]

I remember checking out the fish area there and seimming in the tiver there under the bridge and looking for aggots. Absolutely love that area.

[@siegfriedschudel7024]

Hohoho Steve, I like them all. You present so charming and interesting. But this time? Three ugly bridges and a 5m dam 🧑‍🎄 Even this you could make awsom. Finally the charmless concret fish ladder in fact you turned it into a super famous historical highlight 😅 Well done 👍 Hope next time we get some beautiful things to see? Thank you

[@afletchermansson4418]

Great report, Steve! Thank you for sharing your connection to Oregon. If you drive the 101 in Oregon, chances are good you'll cross a Conde McCullough designed bridge. They are as beautiful by design as they are engineered to last. Looking forward to more reports from the Pacific Northwest!

[@winegeek2949]

i bet those alcoves on the bridge are observation decks, back when we had time to stop & enjoy a view, because they knew one day in the future it would be very important for Instagram 😊

[@empressvogt]

Thanks for adding the link to the live cam! I have something to watch now when I'm bored!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

No problem. I haven't seen any fish on it when I've checked it out.

[@foesfly3047]

What a beautiful and charming location. Looked like wonderfully comfortable weather on the day of ‘filming’.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It was switching between sun and rain but luckily the major rain didn't come till later.

[@garyjennyfrost9485]

@@SidetrackAdventures Normal weather then for Roseburg. wait a few minutes, it will change again.

[@russelldrey8678]

I built the Fred Myers’s in Roseburg back in the 80’s and various projects at Mercy Hospital throughout the years. I Never new the fish ladder existed. Roseburg has been growing continuously over the years. And the dam is still a point of contention for many residents.

[@donnasmith2720]

You know what is so very cool about this? I grew up in Lakeside, Santee, El Cajon and Spring Valley and moved way back in '96 to guess where? Yep! Right here in Oregon. I moved to Douglas County and lived in Tenmile and Winston and we loved going to the fish ladder. It's so very cool. Thanks for traveling like you do. I live in Ga now so I doubt you'll ever get this far. 😂 😂 😂

[@TeddsPicks]

Amazing Steve! Thank you so much for sharing some of your personal adventures ... As soon as you said well, I've been disappointed here before, usually that's preparing us for additional disappointment ... I am super happy that we did see fish in the fish ladder ...

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I was thinking we might have another bison situation. Luckily there were quite a few fish swimming by.

[@suetsuda9923]

My aunt and uncle lived in Roseburg too. My uncle was an eye, ear and nose surgeon. A lot of his practice was on loggers who were injured in logging accidents and needed reconstruction surgery. They had a ranch in the edge of town where they raised filberts. When we visited in the summers it was one of the very few places where I got to ride a horse.

[@carolwright7503]

We must have always visited the fish ladder and saw many fish ! We were lucky each time

[@garthbutton699]

Thanks for taking the drive to take us on another wonderful adventure🤗😎🤗😎

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ourv9603]

In May we took the motorhome on a trip to Idaho. On the way back to our home in the California Redwoods we drove Old 99W out of Portland on our way to US101 along the coast. Every single bridge on US101 in Oregon has a beautiful bridge which is a work of art. !

[@RWX348]

Another learning adventure for me. Thanks Steve! Documenting historic places like this and sharing for others to see is so important. I'm sure this one was an especially sentimental for you.😀

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PennyHays44]

We have lots of family in Oregon, and Roseburg too. Always loved visiting. I remember the Umqua River, but we didn' t visit the damn. Now I live in Washington, very close to Highway 99. Thanks for filming in the PNW.

[@danaowen9014]

I want to thank you for taking the time to bring us these places ware we might not ever know about, you do an awesome job.I could listen to you all day, your a natural.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@johnhallford239]

What a cool place and what great memories for one to have from childhood. That was awesome. Thank ya' sir for taking us back in time and sharing. Safe/fun travels

[@Randsel]

Really enjoy your playlists separated out by State. I sometimes put an entire state playlist on loop for background adventures while working :)

[@SOLOIIguru]

Thanks for the wonderful memories and history, as always, Steve! You're a gem of a person and I appreciate your insights and experiences. Cheers!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks again!

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Steve. I will rename the Booth Bridge the "Billy Brink Bridge" in memory of a comrade I served with in Vietnam. He often spoke fondly of his home, Roseburg, OR. He survived Vietnam, but had many life and health challenges before he passed. 🙏🤲🕊

[@CactusAtlas]

Fascinating! The old bridge reminds me a touch of the Lamar Bridge in Austin, TX in that originally you would cross the river there and the pedestrian walkway was incredibly narrow. Lots of accidents occurred so I could appreciate an alcove to duck into after walking so close to the oncoming traffic. 😅 Loved hearing about the personal history you have there and awesome to see fish in that ladder!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've seen so many old bridges up here the last few days. It seems like they keep their bridges in service in the PNW as long as they can!

[@timjones3094]

Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you so much, we really appreciate it.

[@benkanobe7500]

Thank you for sharing your personal connections with these places in OR. I'm from San Pedro but my brother moved to OR when I was still in my teens so I have heard so much about it.

[@barbaramai7610]

Very interesting video! I love old bridges and learned something new about the fish ladder, have never heard of such a thing. Thanks for sharing!

[@sunandsage]

Thanks for sharing this! I used to be an OTR driver. For the first few years I did that I ran I-5 a lot. I drove it so many times that I got to where I could almost do it blindfolded - don't worry I never would have done something like that. I wish I would have known about this back then. This would have been a great leg stretch stop. My favorite part of I-5 was between Redding and Eugene. I'm surprised to see so much dead grass this time of year.

[@garyjennyfrost9485]

The main opposition is the "lake front" that don't want to give up the lake. I am from Roseburg originally (born and raised), so seeing this from home is nice. Amacher Park, where you stopped to get the rail bridge is right about where we used to take the inner tubes, inflatable, boats etc, and begin a long lazy summer float clear down to River Forks where the South Umpqua joined the North Umpqua to become simply "the Umpqua River. I enjoyed that when I was growing up. I'd be curious if i knew your mom from school.

[@thefred8481]

You should be Professor Steve…thanks for the learning adventures!!!

[@stevenkaskus6173]

That's actually pretty cool, I've never seen fish in the fish ladder before. That would be sorta relaxing to just go watch them.

[@conniewojahn6445]

A little out of your usual area? The "rest" alcoves on the 99 bridge are for pedestrians and bicyclists to get out of traffic to avoid heavy, wide trucks which could knock them down on the narrow walkway, and also serve as places for dedication plaques to be safely viewed. Property owners around the lake want the lake as their playground, that's why the dam is still there. Whether or not the lawsuit results in the dam demolition, I'm rooting for the fish. Go Fish Go! Swim swim swim! I remember hwy 99 before interstate 5 when I was a kid. There was 99 East and 99 West depending on the side of the Willamette River. Portions of 99 hwy still exist, mostly as some other names. Thanks for the video, this is been really great. Stay safe on your way home.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks. We've been on 99 a lot the last few days and went north on the 99 East today actually. Had to laugh.

[@rtrooperw8115]

You should consider some videos in the Sacramento region. So many points of interest and history in the entire region. Sutter’s Fort, Old Sacramento, Marshall Gold Discovery, Ranch Seco park, Folsom Lake, Delta King, State Capitol, Various Pony Express points, and many, many more points of interest in the region.

[@ScratchGlass9]

Another fine trek. Memories are forever. Thanks Steve !

[@MichaelTitera]

Another great and informative video, San Diego Steve. It's a bummer the dam is no longer used to generate electricity. I am sure the upkeep was too expensive, but it does seem to be a waste to have a dam without the benefit of producing electricity. I am really happy the fish ladder was built and is still operational. Thanks for sharing your connection!

[@jeffpalmer5502]

Those alcoves likely were also a place for people with horses to get out of the way there was likely still a lot of people riding horses across that bridge back then. I still ride them across my bridge now. I’ve been on that bridge. Good video.

[@Scott_From_Maine]

In Maine they've built a couple of rock ramp fishways. Rocks are piled up, perhaps with a concrete headwall below, which maintains the impoundment and provides a natural looking series of cascades for the fish to ascend. They look good and work well and are relatively cheap.

[@larrypaul8688]

Trout Fishing in America's "Old Things" captures this the feel of this video perfectly.

[@andreajohnson1796]

Beautiful scene of what nature has given , the lovely stairs just to hear the water flowing ❤💯

[@bradhig]

My grandparents lived in Elkton Oregon and we lived with grandmother when she had alzheimer's. We went to see the fish ladder once after coming back from shopping in Roseburg.

[@roncross1945]

I thought you were just a SoCal guy. My granddaughter and her family live in Sutherlin, Oregon just up the road from the dam and bridges in your video. Welcome home to Oregon. 😎

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Born and raised in SoCal, but my family on my mom's side is from Oregon. Passed through Sutherlin the other day!

[@trumer-and-co]

Very cool! Thanks Steve. I'll have to make sure to take that detour the next time I'm headed north. Really enjoy your videos.

[@secretdaisy6484]

That is really kewl! I like fish 🐟. I have an aquarium. I was surprised that there weren’t any salmon shown as fish who use the ladder. I’ve seen documentaries about the life of salmon and they are very strong and swim up a waterfall. Bears wade out into the stream and catch salmon as they are going up the waterfalls. It’s amazing. That looks like a very nice place. 👍☮️🌞🌊🐟💚

[@ConnieWojahn]

Nice fish tale, interesting bridges, good job, thank you.

[@jeffmyers7062]

Oh hey your in my neck of the woods...if you start doing more Oregon stuff maybe I'll see you. Thanks for the great channel Steve.

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks Steve for your adventure and memories! Enjoyed this video!

[@praiserdusty]

Seriously amazing photo of the bridge. This video makes me want to visit or at least drive through and stop if even on the west coast

[@bruceyoung1343]

I’m surprised they allow pedestrians to walk across with such narrow walkway. Thank You. Very interesting

[@Posttraumaticgrowth]

Since I subscribed I view all your new and videos whenever uou upload them. Thank you for your knowledge and insights🤙

[@darrellpark5784]

I used to camp in Roseburg when I was a kid with my mom and dad. We would fish in the morning and cook what we caught for breakfast. You may know the name of the campground, you had to drive under a train bridge to get in and had a large park as well. Also, it may be the bridge you showed, but there was a sign that said cars had to yield to vehicles like RVs and trucks because it was pretty skinny. This video, as many of yours do, bring me back to traveling with my family in the RV. Thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The train bridge in the video is the same one you have to drive under to get to the campground. The parking lot next to the campground is where I took the picture of the bridge from. Its Amacher Park.

[@darrellpark5784]

@SidetrackAdventures That is awesome. One of our favorite stops every year on our way to see family in Lebanon, Oregon. Thank you for taking the time to reply, and I look forward to more awesome and fun content!

[@RevMikeBlack]

It sure is a beautiful bridge. It's good when functionality and aesthetics can coexist.

[@projekt6_official]

Neat video as always. I've put this on my "want to go" map so I can hopefully visit it before its possible demise. $500 in 1928 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $8,892.60 today, an increase of $8,392.60 over 95 years.

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

The river and area look beautiful 😊

[@garyschlagel995]

THANKS, FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO!, A GREAT VIDEO, THANKS STEVE!

[@augustharter981]

Actually, I've been on that bridge a couple of times during several trips through Oregon. Have not walked on it, though. Very familiar with Umpqua river! Never been down to look at fish ladder. Thanks for sharing.

[@actualsunflower]

i live here and was there just yesterday!!!!!! i was super surpsied to see this vid ! awesome, love the love for my lovely area! I can also confirm, unfortunately the fish models were stolen :( there were some on the other side of the signs as well, which were also stolen.

[@aristocrat_000G]

very touching story. Steve, my heart came alive~

[@CDRiley]

I am glad you are back! 🎊 🎉

[@rashtra8253]

USA is really blessed geographically and weather wise so beautiful and pleasant weather

[@tomtheplummer7322]

Steve, I enjoy when you do pieces on olde infrastructure. 😎👍🏻

[@SpanishEclectic]

Such terrific architecture and beautiful design elements in that bridge! I prefer it to many modern bridges. I like the alcoves, but am surprised there were none mid-span. A good place to stop and take in the view, with a few extra feet between you and the traffic. The fish ladder is like Panama Canal locks for fish. I wonder if this area suffered drought like we have in S. CA, and if the fish ladder would work with very low water levels.

[@mht5875]

Robert A. Booth was the highway commissioner of Oregon at the time it was being built. Beautiful bridge!

[@shaynestephens]

Another great one, Steve! I really enjoy your videos! I am a huge fan of old roads. I have the entire length of old US 66 on video (I just haven't edited them all together because of health reasons and computer issues). Little fills me with joy like following old historic routes.

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

I love your videos, and I hope you and your family have fun travelling to all these fascinating places and making them. I don't know if you take requests, nor if this location is in your milieu, but is there a chance of you doing a video on Wall Drug in South Dakota?

[@stevef.8041]

Your videos are really entertaining and informative.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I appreciate that!

[@dentech4710]

Thank you for another great adventure to interesting places.

[@heyoldman2003]

very cool again . have you ever seen that place in northern Nevada, i can’t think of the name 🤔 something mountain?? a guy went kinda crazy with cement and found stuff . very cool . it’s right off a main hiway..my son and i found it 20? years ago when it was just abandoned. we got in and took pictures 😊. now it fenced off but still a cool place to snoop around. love your shows, thank you for taking us along 😎

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I haven't seen it but I'll look into it. I want to get back out to that area.

[@heyoldman2003]

@@SidetrackAdventures i’ll try to get more info. very interesting place indeed . i have been told they call it Concrete dementia. Yes concrete and junk he found …very interesting

[@sethw1nter]

@@heyoldman2003 I believe you're talking about the Thunder Mountain Monument in Imlay, NV off of Interstate 80? The art style is commonly called Dementia Concretia

[@T-Babbbldot]

A Nonprofit Organization that I am a member of is based in Umpqua, OR. Since 1989, have visited many times. 300 Acres. Since trails have been these alcoves became towns, Pony Express, RR stops,etc. Hiking Trails through parks. Ski Resorts!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its a beautiful area. I was just there again a few weeks ago.

[@vivianduhart6638]

❤ Thank you!

[@robbmanchester5747]

Interesting Steve … didn’t know hiway 99 had that history … also cool to hear about your roots

[@richardmoramarco6754]

I live 50 miles from there farther down river.I moved from north sandiego county several years a go. I go over that bridge and the freeway regularly going to Roseburg. Will have to stop and look at the fish ladder sometime. Thought the dam was owned by a water district that is fighting the lawsuit. Thanks for the video, also enjoy your San Diego and other shows.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The water district is apparently just the home owners.

[@aristocrat_000G]

Superb work, my man~

[@boboneill4828]

That looks so cool up there! What is the link to watch the fish cam??

[@carlcotton1753]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@gph2193]

The fish ladder is tricky. The problem is the smallmouth bass that dominate the main and S. Umpqua. So far they have not taken over the stretch of the N. Umpqua above Winchester dam. The smallmouth devour a huge percentage of salmon and steehead smolts. Improving the fish ladder may help the smallmouth, removing the dam definitely would.

[@williamwinsor7376]

In the Coquille they have destroyed the run but maybe the colder faster running water in the north might help.

[@leonajameson8902]

I loved it! Thanks Steve

[@birdman5223]

Superb content MrSteve☺️

[@HardKnoxU]

You should do some searching for the town of Spadra, and the Philips Mansion. It's near LA, and it has a fascinating history, that deserves to be remembered

[@deboraharmstrong5851]

Great story....this for sharing.

[@eileensimpson3725]

Oh my gosh that is so interesting thank you very much.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Reviewing the Oregon Highways Seismic Plus Report dated October 2014, both highway bridges are in scope for replacement. Bridge replacement would decrease the risk of this critical lifeline not being available after a large regional earthquake. PS - Assume the railroad bridge is listed on a separate seismic risk report. PS2 - Dam is listed as a high hazard dam. Trial was scheduled in May 2023 to resolve lawsuit on water quality and environmental damage.

[@R32R38]

When the Port of New York Authority built a bridge between Staten Island and New Jersey in the 1920's they wanted to honor the former chairman Eugenius Outerbridge. Because the Outerbridge Bridge would sound absurd, it became the Outerbridge Crossing.

[@ihatedietcola7920]

Great video!!! Have you ever been to Lime Kiln trail outside of Granite Falls Washington?

[@alwaysfree7956]

Great Channel, keep it up!😊

[@Hillbilly973]

What a fantastic, interesting episode and so well presented. I really like your channel and your personality. Greetings from the land of the kangaroo.

[@CrazyPetez]

Very nice! Thanks.

[@mikeflick4737]

Steve, the Winchester Bridge was widened in 2008. The project included making new concrete sides, a walkway on both sides, plus wider lanes. They sold the old side sections to those who were willing to pay for them. It still holds the old look. We live in Sutherlin, and Roseburg is big town for us. We moved here in 1975 from Fairbanks, Alaska. Nice video about the bridges and dam. 😊

[@stevejohnson810]

Thats a real pretty spot..love it...

[@paul9156c]

Always an adventure!

[@NaturesChild]

That's a nice bridge with its Moorish styling. Great video 👍

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Steve I wonder if they have to clean the glass ever so often?🐟🐟🐟

[@fitzspike]

Great video Steve!

[@deborahlivingston720]

I think there is an old "what's my line ?" Show where a lady's line was a fish counter Oregan. The show was a game show in the 1950's -1960's

[@gofast3209]

Very interesting!!

[@henrivanbemmel]

Thank you for your video. I can't see how such a small dam warrants being a historic place. My family farm was 140 years old when they paved it for new warehouses. I get that this was a place you remember your grandparents, but that was yesterday. Streams transport silt, nutrients and such like along the entire river course ... every day. The fish ladder is a small concession. The dam is foreign and unnecessary and should be removed at once by the owners due to the damage it is causing. They would not be allowed to build a pointless dam here now, so why allow this to remain?

[@jetsons101]

That tree at 11:00 looks like the ET tree that broke through the window and pulled Elliott out the window. Great watch, Roseburg looks much better than portland.....

[@joetorrey6922]

Interesting. Another good video.

[@tristanflores1069]

Found the fish ladder very interesting

[@stardog62]

I grew up in Douglas County Oregon and have literally passed by or over this bridge thousands of times and never knew it was called the Booth Bridge.

[@idontknow2293]

I grew up in Southern New Mexico. Specifically the Mesilla Valley. Pretty much the only thing of interest was the Mesilla dam and the pecan farm where they sold pecans to the public, so my parents would take any visitors to see those places.