Historic U.S. 101 - Sonoma County

Old U.S. 101/Healdsburg Avenue north
Traveling north along Old U.S. 101 (at this point traveling almost due west on Healdsburg Avenue), the major historic feature is the Russian River crossing just south of downtown Healdsburg. Known as the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge, this is a Pennsylvania (Petit) through-truss bridge that measures at 428 feet long. Built in 1921 by the American Bridge Company, this bridge was originally constructed for the Redwood Highway and became part of U.S. 101 when it was commissioned in 1926. A rare type of bridge today, the memorial bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2011. Photos taken 05/25/06.
Skipping ahead a bit and passing by Healdsburg Plaza at the center of town, northbound Healdsburg Avenue proceeds north after the intersection with Plaza Street. The next intersection will be North Street; turn left for access to the downtown parking lot on the west side of the center city. Photo taken 07/05/13.
Old U.S. 101/Healdsburg Avenue south
Reaching the intersection with Plaza Street, southbound Healdsburg Avenue approaches Healdsburg Plaza, a landscaped park bounded by Plaza Avenue, Healdsburg Avenue, Matheson Street, and Center Street. A plaque within the park acknowledges the history of the area and the approximate location of the original settlement. The final picture shows the gazebo at the center of the well-landscaped park, including the surrounding redwood trees. Photos taken 07/05/13.
At the southern end of Healdsburg Plaza, southbound Healdsburg Avenue meets Matheson Street at this traffic signal. Ahead, Healdsburg Avenue will next intersect Mill Street, then link up with U.S. 101 freeway, then turn east to cross over the Russian River via the historic, 1921 Healdsburg Memorial Bridge. Photo taken 07/05/13.
A trailblazer sign for U.S. 101 south is posted along southbound Healdsburg Avenue after Mill Street. At the southern end of the central strip, Healdsburg Avenue will turn east to cross the river, and the right lane will merge onto the U.S. 101 freeway south. Photo taken 07/05/13.
Southbound Healdsburg Avenue after Matheson Street. At the southern end of the central strip, Healdsburg Avenue will turn east to cross the river, and the right lane will merge onto the U.S. 101 freeway south. Photo taken 07/05/13.
A pair of U.S. 101 freeway entrance signs flank the on-ramp from Healdsburg Avenue south to U.S. 101 south. Photo taken 07/05/13.
One lane carries the transition from Healdsburg Avenue south to U.S. 101 south. Photo taken 07/05/13.
Tall trees including redwoods line the transition ramp onto U.S. 101 (Redwood Highway) south. Photo taken 07/05/13.
Back on Healdsburg Avenue, southbound Historic U.S. 101/Healdsburg Avenue travels almost due east to cross over the Russian River via the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge, a Pennsylvania (Petit) through-truss bridge 428 feet long in southern Healdsburg. Built in 1921 by the American Bridge Company, this bridge was originally constructed for the Redwood Highway and became part of U.S. 101 when it was commissioned in 1926. A rare type of bridge today, the memorial bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2011. Photos taken 05/25/06.
At the eastern end of the bridge we find some old concrete bridge railing. Beyond that is Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach Park, which includes a swimming area below the bridge along the eastern bank of the Russian River. Look for a turnoff on the right side of Healdsburg Avenue ahead. Healdsburg Avenue will then turn south to become Old Redwood Highway en route to Windsor and Santa Rosa. Photo taken 05/25/06.

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Page Updated September 8, 2013.

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