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| The Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge. |
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| Idaho gumweed. |
quite scenic. The Crooked River winds its crooked way under three bridges. The original is the Oregon Trunk Railway Bridge, from 1911 and still in use. In 2000 the current highway bridge, the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge replaced the original, built in 1926. But the old bridge was left in place as a pedestrian bridge, so that visitors can get spectacular views down into the gorge 300 feet below. The gorge has a colorful history.
Two rival railroads battled to build a line to Bend, shooting at each other and employing dynamite as a weapon. Eventually after one railroad tycoon passed away, the rival companies were able to work out an agreement. In 1961, two murderesses tossed their victims into this gorge. One testified against the other and served only 7 years. The other, Jeannace June Freedman, bears the distinction of being the only woman in Oregon ever to be sentenced to death, but avoided execution and served 20 years. We gazed down into the gorge and saw the twisted, rusty remains of a car down at the bottom. The gorge has a wild and dangerous beauty. Don't miss it but stay behind the railings!
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| The Oregon Trunk Railway Bridge. |
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| The original 1926 highway bridge. |
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| The Oregon Trunk Railway Bridge. |
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| Crooked River Canyon. |
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