The Honey Run Bridge in Butte County opened in April after being destroyed in the November 2018 Camp Fire. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

A bridge can represent many things. The most basic is getting from Point A to Point B. Honey Run Bridge is so much more than that.

This bridge in Butte Creek Canyon that spans Butte Creek links the past, present and future. It was built out on the ashes from the 2018 Camp Fire. It is a bridge of hope; a symbol for the community and about community.

Honey Run Bridge is accessible by emergency vehicles, but is otherwise a foot bridge. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Originally built in 1886, it was first covered in 1901 after severe flooding. In 1988 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was the last three-span Pratt truss covered bridge.

It had been years since vehicles were actually allowed to drive on and through the bridge—all because in 1965 a truck crashed into the eastern span, taking the bridge out of service. The county long ago created a more traditional pass over the water.

Honey Run Bridge was rebuilt to resemble what it looked like in the 1800s. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Community support allowed the bridge to reopen in 1972 as a foot bridge. Those living in the canyon used it for parties, weddings and other gathering, with a park having been built around the base.

It was through community donations that it was once again rebuilt—no taxpayer money. It reopened in April, six and half years after the Camp Fire. This time around the park also got an upgrade.

It’s the same shape and size as the previous bridge, including the open windows. A main difference is the steel frame. The wood exterior will not be painted—same as before—with the idea Mother Nature will color it as it ages.

Windows on the bridge look to Butte Creek. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

This is one of about 50 covered bridges in California.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website: “Covered wooden bridges once dotted the landscape of the United States numbering 14,000 at one time as reported in the Federal Highway Administration’s Covered Bridge Manual. Today there are only 500 to 600 covered bridges remaining in the country, having survived hundreds of years largely as result of the roof structure which kept the bridge timbers dry.”