Fernbridge Celebrates 100 Years

A monument in Fernbridge is set to celebrate it's one hundredth birthday this weekend--the thirteen hundred foot long concrete bridge that crosses the eel river made it's debut in 1911. Newschannel 3's Cameron Cramer provides a look at the history of the bridge and the centennial celebration the city has planned. How do you plan a birthday party for a 1300 foot giant... Or better yet what gift do you give to something that's connected a small farming community to a major highway...a nod to it's history might be a good start. "We're going to have a foot race across the bridge, replicating the 1911 race...so if you want a title that's going to stand for 100 years, don't miss your opportunity." Said Centennial Celebration Committee member Richard Phillis. A foot race, classic cars, and yes, birthday cake and ice cream are all in the cards for the celebration that starts at noon on Sunday all to honor the bridge. "I find it a fascinating artifact from a historic and engineering feat...every time you come north or south on the 101 you get a great view of it. It's really a magnificent structure." Said Karen Pingitore from the Ferndale Chamber Of Commerce. It look 17 years of petitions and 245 thousand dollars, but the bridge was constructed, completely out of concrete, for earthquake protection in 1911...the bridge has survived numerous floods, but it's greatest threat could have the 1911 board of supervisors... "The vote to approve it was a 3-2 vote, it was very close.” Said Pingitore. But it passed, and rest is history, even if modern automobiles are a challenge for this concrete giant "The first time coming up to this small bridge at 50 miles per hour, in a loaded milk truck was rather imposing. It's not exactly size suited for these days, but we make it work.” Said Phillis For another century, at least.