Ritner Creek Bridge, one of the covered bridges remaining in Oregon west of the Cascades, nearly disappeared in 1974 when it was declared structurally unsafe and scheduled for removal. Children of Pedee School and citizens of the Pedee area rallied to support it in a “Save Our Bridge” campaign. County commissioners met with the State Highway Department, and the issue was placed on the ballot on May 28, 1974. After the measure passed, the covered bridge was moved to an adjacent site, and the new bridge on Highway 223 parallels it. The bridge was named for pioneer Sebastian Ritner, who arrived in Oregon in 1845, and some of his descendants still live in the area. It was built in 1926 by Hammer and Curry Contactors at a cost of $6,963.78. Relocation of the bridge cost taxpayers $26,031 in 1975-76, and an additional $533.08 was spent on a mini-park next to the bridge. Another park, Ritner Creek County Park, is located a few miles upstream.