Fernbridge

Fernbridge crosses the Eel River about five miles west of Fortuna, on the road to the Victorian village of Ferndale. It is a 1,320-foot reinforced concrete arch bridge designed by John B. Leonard, built in 1911 and unrenovated in any meaningful way since. The seven big arches, the open spandrels, the spindly railings — all of it is original Edwardian work in concrete, of a kind almost nowhere else surviving in daily highway use.

There is no signposted viewing area, but a small pullout on the Fortuna side gives you a long look down the line of the arches. Engineers and bridge enthusiasts find the whole thing remarkable; everyone else may simply enjoy the view of the Eel River bottomland on either side and the dairy cows grazing under the bridge. Cross it slowly and continue west to Ferndale.

things to do sight architecture
A story
When Fernbridge opened on 8 November 1911, it was the longest functional concrete arch bridge in the world. It has survived more than a century of Eel River floods that took out most of its neighbours — including the great 1964 flood — and remains in daily use. Locals call it the Queen of Bridges and there are usually a few old-timers who insist the gentle hum of tyres on its open spandrels sounds different from any other bridge in California.