Knights Ferry

The state's two 1939 bronzes stand a mile out on Highway 120, pointing in, and both say the covered bridge was reputedly designed by U. S. Grant in 1854. Grant did visit his wife's brothers, the Dents, here between 1852 and 1854, but nothing shows he drew a bridge. The first bridge went up in 1857 and the flood of 1862 carried it away. The covered bridge that stands, built in 1863, is the longest in California; the Native Daughters' plaque on it says 1864. Knights Ferry was San Joaquin County ground until 1860.

What the plaque says

Knights Ferry Covered Bridge Built in 1864 to replace the original bridge washed away by the flood of 1862. Fastened together with locust pins. A toll bridge until purchased by Stanislaus County in 1885. Dedicated May 30, 1948 Oakdale Parlor No. 125 Native Daughters of the Golden West Knights Ferry Covered Bridge Built in 1864 to replace the original bridge washed away by the flood of 1862. Fastened together with locust pins. A toll bridge until purchased by Stanislaus County in 1885. Dedicated May 30, 1948 - Rededicated May 2, 1988 Oakdale Parlor No. 125 Native Daughters of the Golden West 1 Mile Knight's Ferry Picturesque mining center and trading post, 1849, once called Dentville. Early ferry to the southern mines; county seat 1862-72; rare wooden covered bridge reputedly designed by U. S. Grant, brother-in-law of Dent brothers, 1854; old flour mill, 1854. Historical Landmark No. 347 Department of Public Works - Division of Highways 1 Mile Knight's Ferry Picturesque mining center and trading post, 1849, once called Dentville. Early ferry to the southern mines; county seat 1862-72; rare wooden covered bridge reputedly designed by U. S. Grant, brother-in-law of Dent brothers, 1854; old flour mill, 1854. Historical Landmark No. 347 Department of Public Works - Division of Highways

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Columbia State Historic Park — 21 mi
  The Gem of the Southern Mines, still open for business on a car-free Gold Rush main street.

More markers nearby

• The Willms Ranch — 1.8 mi
• O'Byrne Ferry — 7.1 mi
• Copperopolis — 11 mi
• Montezuma — 13 mi