The Wawona Covered Bridge spans the South Fork Merced River near Wawona in Yosemite National Park and is one of only twelve covered bridges still standing in California. Built in 1868 by Galen Clark as an uncovered road bridge for his proposed route to Yosemite Valley, it became part of the completed road after he sold the project to the Washburn Group. Its present covered appearance dates to 1878, when Douglas fir cladding was added around a modified queen post truss of Ponderosa pine and iron tie rods. After carrying automobiles until 1937, it was preserved, repaired, and rebuilt following flood damage, eventually becoming a focal point for interpreting Wawona’s past.