Wood's Bridge
Jeremiah H. Woods and Alexander McQueen purchased land for Wood's Ferry from the Sargent brothers, J. P. Sargent and Roscoe S. Sargent, in 1852. The Sargent brothers grew barley crops on the surrounding land. Jeremiah H. Woods built the wooden cable ferry by hand at the river bank from local trees. In October 1852 John A. J. Flood and E. H. Comstock petitioned the Court of Sessions have a public road built from Stockton, and have it cross at Wood's ferry then on to Davis' bridge and on Dry creek (Fugett's). The court order designated the route as a county road, that helped Woods. In 1853 a flood washed out the road, so Woods organized a pack train and took Stockton supplies to miners that were unable to get the normal supply by wagon trains. Woods had to use row boats to cross the river with the goods. Later to boost travel, Woods gave the stagecoach free ferry crossing. The town at the ferry became known as Wood's Ferry, and in 1859 became Woodbridge, named after Woods' bridge. On July 4, 1855, Woods used his new wealth to put on an expensive Independence Day dance for the town and travelers. In 1874 a free public bridge was built and the old toll-bridge was removed. Woods was paid $1,000 by the new bridge builders.
See also
References
- ^ "Wood's Ferry and Wood's Bridge Site #163". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
- ^ "CHL # 163 Wood's Ferry and Wood's Bridge Site San Joaquin". www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com.
- ^ "Woodbridge California History". www.wrightrealtors.com.
- ^ "Woodbridge: Orphan of the Railroads". From Raymond W. Willman and Leonard Covello, Cities & Towns of San Joaquin County Since 1847, 1985.
- ^ Kyle, Douglas E. (1990). Historic Spots in California (4th ed.). Stanford University Press. pp. 356–357.