Construction of a
National Landmark
Even before the 20th
century, a bridge from San Francisco to Oakland was conceived as a way to
connect the city with rail lines on the other side of the Bay. As the newly
invented automobile became more popular, the necessity of easy transport made
the bridge even more important. In 1929, the California Toll Bridge Authority
was formed, and construction of the long-awaited bridge was soon to follow. The
bridge was completed in November of 1936 and almost immediately became an
architectural landmark.
The Old Bridge Comes
Down
In 1989, the Loma
Prieta earthquake caused extensive damage to the bridge, including the collapse
of an upper section. This resulted in the construction of a new San Francisco
Bay Bridge, and the damaged span began to be demolished in November of 2013.
Most of the metal used in the bridge was sold as scrap metal, resulting in much
of it being shipped overseas to China.
Reclaiming Historic
Lumber
The lumber from the
base of the bridge piers and pylons became available, and The Lumber Baron was
able to reclaim significant amounts of the old growth redwood used on two of
the piers. This lumber was an important form of protection for the bridge,
including reducing the damages caused by the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, when
an oil tanker collided with one of the bridge’s towers.
Lumber From a Bygone
Era
As a result of its
old growth heritage, this lumber is knot free, and comprised of dense heartwood
material. It is easily identified by the compact grain structure, unique
coloration, and the strength afforded by the remarkable density of the lumber.
The Lumber Baron has made this historic lumber available in several sizes,
including 12” by 12”, 6” by 12”, and 1” by 12” cuts.
Repurposing American
Heritage
Additionally, since
The Lumber Baron is a full service lumber mill, the lumber can be milled into 2
inch slabs or custom sizes or resurfaced to meet customer specifications,
making it excellent for quality countertops, furniture, and many other
applications.Whether you are interested in green building, custom beams, or unique furniture construction, The Lumber Baron’s reclaimed lumber from the San Francisco Bay Bridge Eastern span is worth looking into. Not only does this lumber have a special historical value and unique coloration which cannot be duplicated, it also represents a quality of lumber that is no longer available from today’s managed redwood forests.
