As
Linn County's newest and longest covered span, the Shimanek Bridge offers an exception to the usual open sided structure with its rounded portals. Red paint, portal design and louvered windows, features similar to the former span, built in 1927, are found on no other bridge in
Linn County. Rods in the truss are grouped into a series of four rods instead of the usual three rods at each compression joint. The bridge shares the white painted interior of the other
Linn County bridges.
The first bridge built at this location is believed to have been constructed as early as 1861, while the first documented covered bridge was built in 1891. In 1904, the county rebuilt the bridge, only to have it washed out in 1921. Its replacement lasted until 1927, when high water damaged the piers and the span was replaced. Trees were blown against a fourth covered bridge on Columbas Day Storm of 1962. The bridge was soon after destroyed and in 1966 the fifth and current bridge was complete.
