The route was well used, as it was feared that in the event of war with Britain, the Columbia River route would be blockaded.
McKee Covered Bridge
Historic McKee Bridge - Applegate Valley, OR
We visit the historic McKee Bridge on the Applegate River.
The
Applegate River was named after the famous Lindsey Applegate who
discovered a southern route across the Cascade Mountains to the fertile
valleys of the Rogue, and northward to the Willamette Valley.
The route was well used, as it was feared that in the event of war with Britain, the Columbia River route would be blockaded.
This irrigation canal runs parallel to the Applegate River. Note the paddlewheel in the background.
The McKee Bridge was built in 1917 by John Hartman of Jacksonville on land donated by a local rancher; Adelbert "Deb" McKee. McKee's ranch was used as a stage station, and was mainly for traffic going to the Blue Ledge copper mine. McKee also rented rooms to travelers.
In the 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps developed a beautiful park next to the bridge.
This scenic treasure spans the Applegate River only eight miles from the California border.
The route was well used, as it was feared that in the event of war with Britain, the Columbia River route would be blockaded.
