HISTORY

Following the discovery of gold in Butte County the need arose to built roads and bridges. A route was needed from Butte Creek Canyon to Paradise Ridge, and in 1884 Honey Run Road was constructed. In September 1886 the Butte County Board of Supervisors sought bids for a bridge over Butte Creek at the intersection of Centerville Road. Until then the creek was crossed by ford.

In October 1886 seven bids were received. The design chosen was from the American Bridge Co. in San Francisco. The design was wood, reinforced with steel cables, being able to carry a load of 1,500 pounds at a cost of $4,295. George Miller was appointed superintendent of construction.

The bridge was built in 3 spans of 30 ft., 130 ft., and 80 ft. to a total of 240 ft. On January 3, 1887 George Miller reported that the bridge had been completed. Evidence indicates that the bridge was not covered at the time of its construction.

In 1901, George Miller sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors stating that the flooring and timber of the bridge were very badly decayed and it was necessary to replace the whole floor system with new materials. He also recommended that the bridge be housed-in. The cost would be about $560.00. No written records have been found to document when the bridge was covered, but presumably it was done soon after Miller's recommendation.

On April 12, 1965, a truck crashed into one corner of the bridge, collapsing the eastern span. Butte County Department of Public Works initiated plans for a new two-lane highway bridge for an adjacent site just upstream of the Covered Bridge. A new steel and concrete bridge was constructed and the Honey Run Covered Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic.

During the construction of the new bridge public support was growing in favor of restoring and preserving the Covered Bridge. A thousand people signed petitions, the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association was formed, and funds were donated for reconstruction. The bridge reopened to pedestrian-only loading in 1972.

Today, the Honey Run Covered bridge is the only 3-level covered bridge left in the nation.