The Story of the Old San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Lumber Reclaimed from it

One of the reasons that reclaimed lumber is so appealing is that it has unique physical properties and a rich historic value. One example of this is the reclaimed redwood material Lumber Baron was able to procure during the demolition of the Old San Francisco Bay Bridge. Not only does it have a quality which is only available in old growth lumber from the early to mid-1900’s, this redwood is a unique part of American history.

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.