Silverton Murals-Gallon House Bridge

In the year 2000, this beautiful mural was painted by Lori Lee Webb.  It is one of my favorite.  The colors are rich and the scene it depicts, just puts a smile on my face.  But the Gallon House Bridge has a little bit of salty history.

The bridge's name didn't happen by accident.  The bridge lies between two towns.  At the time, Silverton was "dry" and Mt. Angel was  "wet".  While talking to my LL about this, he said, "It's hard to imagine Silverton "dry", but it would have been harder to imagine Mt. Angel ever dry".  It's true.  Both towns have plenty of hard working, church going people, who never have far to go to find a pub, tavern, or watering hole.  But Mt. Angel in particular has only one church building, St. Mary's, my home church.  But in the three block down town area, it has 4 taverns and many other restaurants with bars.  Man I love Mt. Angel.:) 

Anyway, the north end of the Gallon House Bridge was the drop off and pick up point for White Lightning.  A  Mt. Angel resident would drop off, and Silverton resident would pick up.  See, these two lovely towns were getting along even back then.  HeHeHe.  Very neighborly weren't they?

The bridge was built in 1916 and in great shape.  I use to go walking on a beautiful day, through it just to feel part of history.  If you are ever in the area, while on the Mt. Angel-Silverton Highway, turn going west on Downs Rd, Turn left on Gallon House Rd and you will end up going on the bridge.