Dinkey Creek Bridge
Also known as: Fresno County Bridge No. 42C-04
Why it's listed
Spanning Dinkey Creek at an elevation of about 5,680 feet in the Sierra National Forest, this 90-foot timber bridge was completed in 1938 to carry McKinley Grove Road. Its bowstring arch-truss design, by engineer T.K. May, is uncommon for timber bridges, and May believed it was the only one of its type in California when built. Steel split-ring connectors in the joints let timber members carry large tensile forces without metal rods, making this one of the earliest American uses of the technique. Civilian Conservation Corps crews from nearby camps assembled the precut Douglas fir trusses largely by hand on concrete abutments. The bridge was part of a Fresno County and Forest Service road project that opened a large forested area to recreation and timber use. Vehicles were rerouted to a newer bridge in 1965, and the span now serves walkers and bicyclists. Restoration in 1988 replaced rotted decking and stringers with matching timbers. It remains a local landmark and was recognized for its engineering importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is an excellent and rare surviving example of 1930s timber truss construction and the first bowstring arch-truss of its type in California, according to its designer. It was also among the first American structures to use steel split-ring timber connectors, and it represents Depression-era public works built with CCC labor. It is listed under Criterion C in the area of Engineering.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 96000911, listed September 5, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off Dinkey Creek Rd., W of Camp Fresno, Sierra National Forest, Dinkey Creek |
|---|---|
| County | Fresno County |
| Listed | September 5, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000911 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1938 |
| Architect / builder | May, T.K/US Forest Service-CCC |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Timber Bowstring Arch-Truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed to vehicles in 1965 due to deck rot and used only by pedestrians and bicycles since; deck, railings and some stringers were replaced with matching treated timbers in 1988, and the bridge is described as in very good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.06739, -119.15425 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 96000911.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q13534564
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.