Built between 1969 and 1973, the Foresthill Bridge is the tallest bridge in California. It soars 730 feet above the North Fork of the American River and is 2,428 feet in length. Its massive height was designed to carry travelers across the planned reservoir created by the Auburn Dam, although the dam was never built. If it had been, the waters were expected to reach just 135 feet below the bridge deck.
Built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, approximately 7,750 tons of structural steel, 300,000 bolts and 52,000 cubic yards of concrete went into the bridge’s construction, which cost around $13,500,000.
At the opening ceremony on Labor Day in 1973, Bertha the elephant and a mule whose name has been lost to history met on the bridge to symbolize both the bipartisan support for the project as well as the weight the bridge could easily support. Fittingly, the first vehicle to pass over the new bridge was a Wells Fargo & Company stagecoach drawn by a team of four horses.
In 2020, the Placer County Museums Docent Guild purchased documentary film footage from the Raymond Hattrup estate showing the construction of this monumental project. The footage has been digitized and is available to view online.
Photo: Foresthill Bridge dedication ceremony. Sept. 1, 1973. Placer County Museums Auburn Journal Photo Collection.
Explore our new interactive timeline — updated every Thursday with photographs, milestones and the stories of people who built this county. Explore timeline
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
 Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Sutter Roseville Farmers Market,
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn Music On The Square, Market in the Square,
Colfax: Colfax Farmers’ Market, Colfax Art Walks & Lions Cruise Night,
North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe City Farmer’s Market, B4BC’s Annual Skate the Lake, Music on the Beach, Kings Beach, Rubicon Summer Music Series, Northstar Summer Stage, SunSets Live Music Series, Bluesdays, Concerts at Commons Beach, Northstar Enduro
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
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