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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 25, 2004 Wimer residents discuss bridge options Jackson County wants community to raise $334,000 to help pay for rebuilding the span By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune WIMER — Community members gathered at the local grange Monday night to look for ways to raise their share of $887,000 needed to rebuild the Wimer covered bridge. The Wimer bridge was a National Historic Landmark and only one of four covered bridges remaining in Jackson County. First built in 1892, rebuilt in 1927, refurbished in 1961, the bridge collapsed in June of 2003, injuring three people. Pat Tracy, chairwoman of the Citizens for Rebuilding the Wimer Bridge, says Jackson County is asking the community to raise $334,000 to help pay for the bridge style they selected in an April meeting — a timber truss bridge with concrete approach spans. The 25 to 30 people at the meeting each had strong ties to the old bridge seven miles north of Rogue River and crossing Evans Creek at Covered Bridge Road. The group is determined to see a new covered bridge at the site as soon as possible. "My son was married on that bridge," said Roberta Menteer. Advertisement Dennis Rasmussen said the group needed to reach beyond the local community to raise the money needed. Rasmussen has written a 1,895-word essay on the bridge, including a request for donations, and is sending copies to several historical magazines. "It covers the initial collapse of the bridge. But it also has history and memories," said Rasmussen. "I’m hoping to tug on the heartstrings of a few folks with sizable wallets." The group has several other fund-raising ideas in the works. Bumper stickers, baked goods, T-shirts, local history books and memory bricks to be laid on the path to the bridge will be offered for sale at the "Save the Bridge" booth at the Rogue River Rooster Crow the last weekend in June. "We are also going to be in the parade," said Tracy. Tracy said the city of Eagle Point has offered the group their 15-foot replica of a bridge to use in the parade. Several members said they should try to find someone with a team of horses to pull the wheeled bridge down the parade route. "That would be in keeping with the history," said Rasmussen. Tracy also showed a mock-up of a small wooden covered bridge bank that will be distributed in local hotels, motels and restaurants to collect contributions to the cause. Those interested in participating in the fund raising or making a donation, should contact Pat Tracy at 582-4588. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities