Abernethy Creek

Portland to Roseville freight train crossing Abernethy Creek in Oregon City

On the northern end of Oregon City's business district, the Union Pacific main line crosses Abernethy Creek on a wooden trestle. Once common throughout the nation, and especially in the West, wood trestles are becoming increasing rare on American railroads, particularly on main lines, where steel and/or concrete have been the standard bridge construction materials for decades. The stream is named for George Abernethy, a highly influential Oregon businessman and politician of the 19th century, who served as Oregon's only provisional governor (preceding statehood).