Benson Bridge over the Columbia River in Multnomah County, Oregon (United States)

The head chief of the Multnomah people had a beautiful young daughter. Because the chief had lost all of his sons in battle, he cherished his daughter with all of his heart. He chose her husband from the neighboring Clatsop people with great care. A great wedding feast was planning. However, a great sickness befell the people. After confiding in council, an old medicine man told the chief of a prophecy that a disease that would befall the people. A young maiden, the daughter of a chief, must sacrifice herself to save their people. The head chief refused to allow this. However, when the young maiden discovered her soon to be husband stricken by the disease as well, she went up to the top of the cliffs and jumped. The next morning, the people found the young maiden on the rocks below. Her father, the chief, prayed to the Great Spirit to show a sign that his daughter had been welcomed in heaven. At once, the water began to fall, and Multnomah Falls were formed.

Multnomah legend

Bridges over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon (United States)

I flew three thousand miles
Just under threethousand miles

I flew three thousand miles to get here

And I never want to fly again 

I'mgonna cross this bridge 

I'm gonna walk across this bridge 

I'mgonna cross this bridge as soon they lower it

And I'm never gonna cross it again

Lyrics from Portland

song by Minord Thirds

Covered Bridges in Oregon (United States)

Make a wish and hold your breath
as we go through.
If you can hold it all the way
Your wish will come true.

Children poem about covered bridges

Bridge over the Yaquina Bay near Newport, Oregon (United States)

 “The only way that bridge is going to fail is if we have a thousand-year earthquake, snd there wouldn’t be a need for a bridge anyway. No one will be left alive.”

Don Davis, Newport’s city manager

Hawthorne Bridge across the river Willamette in Portland, Oregon (United States)

...

Stepped to the scene where we'd meet

And wrote a song

I did everything right for somebody that

Does everything wrong

So I go from coast to coast

Over the Hawthorn Bridge

To the one I adore

You asked me what I'm looking for

But I can't answer you anymore

No, I can't answer you anymore

From the song I Can´t Answer You Anymore
by Elliott Smith

St. Johns Bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon (United States)

She moved back around here thirty-five weeks ago today
Oh down the lane
At night she walks on the banks and remembers how she
Dreamed of rowing away
And how she left one day
She left with a driven look in her eyes
Came back around with it still inside
They said give it some time and you'll forget about it too
We know they always do
Well I know.

Some fine day
You will find your way across the river
Row down slow
There's a long way to go
Across the river

Lyrics from Across the River

by Bruce Hornsby whose videoclip shows this bridge

St. Johns Bridge over the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon (United States)

From the Cascades’ frozen gorges,

Leaping like a child at play,

Winding, widening through the valley,

Bright Willamette glides away;

Onward ever,

Lovely river,

Softly calling to the sea;

Time that scars us,

Maims and mars us,

Leaves no track or trench on thee.

The Beautiful Willamette

Samuel Leonidas Simpson, 1871