Newly Completed Oregon City Suspension Bridge - c. 1888

This early view of the suspension bridge also tells us a lot about the early production of electricity at Willamette Falls. In detail view 1, we can see that there are no electric lines yet installed along the upper surface of the bridge structure.

In detail view 2, however, we see electric lines are installed along Main Street and Seventh Street in Oregon City. Together, this dates the photo to about 1888, when electricity was generated on the Oregon City side, but was not yet carried across the river and on to Portland, an accomplishment that happened in June of 1889.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon. Original courtesy of the Clackamas County Historical Society.