Threatened: Bridges of Yosemite Valley, CA.

Sugar Pine Bridge Drawing.  Photo file
found at the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has recently posted its America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places that included two California sites.  The post highlighted three Yosemite Valley bridges that the Trust described as "Rustic Style built in 1928 and 1932."  Yosemite Valley is our nation's first national park, and likely that early designers did not anticipate the millions of annual visitors and vehicles it hosts today.  Consequently, constant wear brings into question their durability by the National Parks Service, causing to consider removal and replacement.

Sugar Pine Bridge, Yosemite Valley.  Photo file found at Architectural Record.

Stone bridges are rare in the United States and link us to an earlier time where details and durability mattered.  They easily connects us to the landscape and a feeling of assurance for safe crossings.  How will we experience Yosemite with anything different?

Update: The public has been invited to provide feedback to the National Parks Service regarding the possible removal of the 1928 Sugar Pine Bridge. The plans include additional destruction of some historic cabins including the 1911 Residence 1 that traditionally housed the Park Superintendent.  The public meeting is coming up soon!  March 21, 5-8PM at Fort Mason Center's Room C370; Marina Blvd. at Laguna Street, San Francisco.  For more information and/or comment, please contact Anthony Veerkamp, Filed Director of the San Francisco Office of the National Parks Service.  The NPS is developing a larger management plan involving the Merced River corridor.