Guide to the Werner Lenggenhager Photographs
ca. 1950s-1966

Biographical Note

Werner Lenggenhager was known for his efforts to create a comprehensive photographic record of Seattle’s architecture and monuments during the 1950s-1970s. Originally from St. Gall, Switzerland, Lenggenhager moved to Queensland, Australia, where he bought his first camera. He came to San Francisco in 1924 and obtained American citizenship by 1931. Later, in 1939, he moved to Seattle. Lenggenhager worked at the Boeing Aircraft Company and continued to develop an interest in photography. During a trip home to Switzerland, he became aware of the value of the architecture he had taken for granted as a youth and began photographing historic buildings. Upon his return to Seattle, some of his photographs of Swiss scenes were exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum from June 8th to September 14th, 1949. The Seattle Public Library purchased forty of his prints to add to its Swiss collection.

With encouragement from the staff at the Seattle Public Library, Lenggenhager soon turned his attention to photographing local Seattle architecture and landmarks. In 1952, his photographs were featured in the “Retrospective Review of Seattle Architecture” exhibit at the Henry Art Gallery. This led to the inclusion of some of his photographs in Seattle architect Victor Steinbrueck’sSeattle Architecture, 1850-1953, published in 1953. Lenggenhager then began documenting local monuments and public art for the Seattle Public Library’s reference department. He later photographed monuments and features all around the state, including covered bridges. By 1957, he had already donated over five thousand photographs of local historical subject matter to the Seattle Public Library and the Museum of History and Industry.

Lenggenhager authored Historical Markers and Monuments of the State of Washington, an index in ten volumes that was published between 1967 and 1970. In the 1960s and 1970s, he served as photographer in collaboration with author Lucille McDonald on The Look of Old Time Washington (1971) and Where the Washingtonians Lived: Interesting Early Homes and the People Who Built and Lived in Them (1969).

Scope and Content

This collection includes 22 photographs depicting covered bridges in various counties throughout Washington State. Most of the photos were taken during the 1950s and 1960s. The collection also includes the photographer's notes about these bridges.

Arrangement

The photographs are arranged by county within Washington State.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to the public.

Acquisition Info

Gift of Werner Lenggenhager, 1967.

Processing Info

Processed by Linda Corets, 2004.

Bibliography

Some photographs in this collection are included in: Kramer Adams, Covered Bridges of the West: A History and Illustrated Guide: Washington, Oregon, California (Berkley: Howell-North, 1963).

Inventory

Folder

Item

Date

King County

1

1

Allentown bridge

ca. 1950s

This single-span bridge crossed four railroad tracks (as opposed to water) and was owned jointly by King County and Union Pacific Railroad. The bridge burned May 31, 1958.

2

Train and covered bridge, Federal Way

This miniature railroad was displayed at a shopping center in Federal Way. The train, a reproduction from an 1860s Currier & Ives print, was mostly used by children.

3

Covered bridge over Snoqualmie River, North Bend

The bridge was built in 1910 and was owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company, also known as the Milwaukee Road.

4

Palmer Junction bridge and Green River Gorge

ca. 1960-1963

Built by the Milwaukee Road in 1926, this bridge was rebuilt in 1950. It was covered with sheet metal in 1960 to protect the timber deck trusses from the sparks of Northern Pacific trains that passed on the steel bridge above.

5

Railroad tracks on Palmer Junction bridge

ca. 1960-1963

Built by the Milwaukee Road in 1926, this bridge was rebuilt in 1950. It was covered with sheet metal in 1960 to protect the timber deck trusses from the sparks of Northern Pacific trains that passed on the steel bridge above.

Folder

Item

Date

Lewis County

2

6

Boys cross railroad tracks at covered bridge, Doty

ca. 1960-1963

7-8

Pe Ell metal-covered wooden bridge

ca. 1960s

The bridge was built in 1934 and owned by the Pe Ell Water Department.

9-10

Bridge at Ruth

ca. 1960-1963

The open top of the bridge was intended to protect it from the sparks of the locomotives. In 1965, the tracks and trestle were removed, leaving only the covered span. A tiny railroad depot with a large "Ruth" sign was also left standing.

Folder

Item

Date

Pacific County

2

11

Covered bridge across Wilson Creek, Willapa

ca. 1962

This privately-owned bridge was built in 1909 by Charles and Earl Gerow. It was demolished around 1965.

Folder

Item

Pierce County

2

12

Park Junction bridge across the Nisqually River

Built in 1938 by the Milwaukee Road, the covering structure was added in the 1960s.

13

Covered bridge over river, Sumner

Folder

Item

Snohomish County

2

14

Covered bridge, Monroe

This three-span bridge was one of the longest covered wooden railroad spans in the world.

Folder

Item

Thurston County

2

15

Double span railroad bridge, Helsing Junction

This bridge was built in 1910 and owned by the Milwaukee Road.

Folder

Item

Wahkiakum County

3

16-17

Covered bridge, Grays River

Folder

Item

Whatcom County

3

18

Covered bridge over Nooksack River, Welcome

Folder

Item

Date

Whitman County

3

19-20

Bridge across Palouse River, Colfax

ca. Sept. 23, 1966

21

Palouse River near covered bridge, Colfax

ca. Sept. 23, 1966

Folder

Item

Date

Miscellaneous

3

22

Columbia Bridge

1 photograph : hand-colored

Artist: Sawyer

23

Photographer's notes

Oct. 12, 1967

Document includes locations, descriptions and historical details on nearly all of the covered bridges featured in this collection.

Subject Terms

Subjects:

Covered bridges--Washington (State)--Photographs.

Railroad bridges--Washington (State)--Photographs.

Genre Headings:

Architectural photographs.

Architectural photography.