Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Local Group Seeks to ‘Save the Bridge’ at Oakland Mills
Fundraiser will hopefully reopen bridge in state park
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The Preserve Oakland Mills group is organizing and reaching out to the Henry County Community. A major goal of the organization is to save the walking bridge at Oakland Mills. The meeting held at Henry County Heritage Trust Saturday, Oct. 26 represented one of the first steps — getting information out to the public. The PowerPoint presentation was interesting and noteworthy. The Preserve Oakland Mills group wants to ensure that accurate information is available and is ready to answer any questions.
“I spent many many hours sitting on that bridge to watch the sun set. Plus used it to cross over to explore the woods,” Erica Lee said. “It needs to stay. It’s part of the Oakland Mills charm, heritage.”
The area was originally called Thunder Hill but was named Oakland after settlers stayed and lived in a valley covered in oak trees. Oakland Mills became a vibrant community with a woolen mill, grist mill, hotel, school, church, general store and a railroad flag stop. A hydroelectric plant was built during the depression and it provided electricity for nearly 40 years. Not far up stream, a water treatment plant provided potable water for the surrounding area.
Currently Oakland Mills is the location of Oakland Mills Park. This 104-acre park is owned by the state and managed by the county. Features of the park include the Oakland Mills Bridge built in 1876, Oakland Mills Dam, a Nature Center, hiking trails, a campground, great channel and flathead cat fishing, disc golf, horseshoe pits, and an outdoor learning center. The Henry County Conservation Department actively engages the community practicing and encouraging conservation ideals throughout the year.
Fundraising is about to begin. The Preserve Oakland Mills group is bringing back some of the traditional activities of the area and planning new ones. The site has been assessed several times over the years. At this point in time, the group wants to get the walking bridge repaired so that it is open for use. To restore the bridge to historical accuracy is deemed too expensive. Add this worthy group to your support list.
