The
Santa Fe covered bridge was built across South Fork of Salt
River in 1859. It was located just a short distance south of
Santa Fe. It was built for $2,000 by Elliott because he only
had to build one abutment. One end of the bridge rested on the
rock bluff. John Bybee was the bridge commissioner. Flood
waters washed the bridge down stream on June 19, 1926.
During
the winter months the boys of Santa Fe would haul snow and
dump it on the floor of the old covered bridge. They could
then slide down the hill and across the bridge. Girls were not
supposed to use this slide as it was considered slightly
dangerous. But one young miss (Lela Davis) when dared by her
friend, decided to accept the dare and just slide across the
bridge.
Another
time the young people of Santa Fe had a coasting party one
afternoon. Miss Lela Davis and her boy friend Carl Hawkins,
were coasting down the hill and across the bridge. Just as
they entered the bridge they saw Sidney Mc Ilhaney riding
horseback enter the other side. By this time they were going
so fast there was nothing to do but continue on across the
bridge, which they did and coasted under the horse between his
feet. Miss Davis remembers her head hit the frightened horse
as she passed between its feet.
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