Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge was built in the 1930s, when America worked to connect sections of the newly built coastal Highway 101 via a series of bridges built across Oregon’s many rivers as they flowed into the Pacific Ocean. Patterson Bridge, located in Gold Coast where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most notable.
Conde McCullough, an engineer and head of the bridge section of the Oregon Department of Transportation, designed the structure. It was the first of six masterpieces allowing Highway 101 to run uninterrupted along the coast and over its rivers and estuaries.
McCullough was adept at turning utilitarian traffic conduits into beautiful pieces of architectural interest the Patterson Bridge is no exception. Note that its gray concrete features an art deco style and Palladian windows accompanied by sunbursts.
Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge is part of one of the most famous routes in the United States, Highway 101. This ionic north-to-south highway travels 1,540 miles (2,478 kilometers) down the entire length of America’s West Coast. Travel the length of 101, crossing California’s beautiful Golden Gate Bridge and traversing Washington’s mighty Olympic National Forest.
The Rogue River gushes beneath the bridge, giving it the alternative name of Rogue River Bridge. The waterway flows for 214 miles (344 kilometers) across Oregon. It begins near Crater Lake in the Cascade Range and continues westward until reaching the Pacific Ocean in Gold Beach. Visit the Rogue River for spectacular salmon runs and whitewater rafting. In 1968, it was one of the eight original rivers to be protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Park near the bridge and enjoy the charming town of Gold Beach. The Rogue River and Pacific Ocean offer endless activities. Travel along the postal boat route inland on a jet boat or try your luck salmon fishing. Spend the day relaxing at the beach or hiking along a scenic coastal trail.
Whether you are staying in the area for a while or merely passing through, the Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge deserves notice. Get out and admire the beauty of this vital connector along the Oregon coast.
