I have been told several times that the current bridge across the Noyo River here in Fort Bragg is the fifth to span the river. Thanks to a friend of our club I have been given a pile of photographs and maps of the Noyo River from the 1850’s to fairly recently. Whilst sorting through the treasure trove I came across pictures of the bridges across the Noyo and yes there were five.
Have a look at what I was given:
Looking south across the first bridge over the Noyo circa 1870. John Byrne and John Warrington were given a franchise to build a toll drawbridge to replace the ferry that had been there. The road that became South Harbour Drive is a meandering dirt road.
1890 – A photograph showing the road James Townsend built on the south side of Noyo River and the second Noyo Bridge. This was another toll bridge and the small building at the far right end of the bridge was probably the toll house.
1920 Panorama showing the Noyo River and Second Noyo Bridge
1924 picture of the wreckage of the second bridge
1930 aerial picture showing the third A-Frame bridge across the Noyo River.
Panorama of the third A-Frame bridge across the Noyo
1947 – The fourth bridge across the Noyo River being built
The fourth bridge across the Noyo at sunset
The current, fifth, bridge across the Noyo River