History of Maclay Bridge
Thank you to Walt, Lydia Maclay and Peggy Maclay Gadbow for sharing their precious family stories for an accurate account of events.
1891 - April 2nd; The correct spelling for this founding family has been
taken from a property Deed with the signatures in their own hand of husband and wife; W.P. Maclay and Fleta L Maclay.
1893 - William Plunket built the Maclay Bridge. Built to span the
Bitterroot River at his property in S.W. Missoula at the end of what we now call North Ave on the East side of the bridge and River Pines Road at the West side after crossing over. It was an arduous task moving ranch animals and traveling to town by horse and wagon to market and social events and Sunday church services at the Target Range School House.
1923 - “Bill (W.P.’s grandson) has an early memory in the spring of 1923
when the river was very high. He and his mother (Clara) were looking out the window of their house at the rising river, which must have been approaching the house, and a large snag (tree) came floating rapidly down the river. It passed the house and hit the Maclay Bridge, knocking it into the river. Clyde Maclay (W.P.’s son) and a man named Harrington were hired to rebuild the bridge.”
1950 - Bridge washed out in another flood. People went around Blue
Mountain Road to use Buckhouse Bridge for about 3 years.
1953 - A trestle steel bridge with top supports was brought in from
another location (location unknown). This is the same bridge that stands there today.
2004 - The county replaced the R.R. tie decking with pavement and
stacked large rocks on the North side edges of the base for protection during high water.
Before this repair, I remember hearing the “thunk, thunk” as my car drove over the rail road ties. Those of us in Montana lucky enough to have this experience will cherish the memory as one of our favorite sounds in life.
Photo donated by; Chuck Honeycutt (Maclay Bridge c. 1930)
Research by; Kris Platz Crawford 3-1-2011
