This U.S. State Built A Bridge Just For Squirrels

Of the nearly 8,000 bridges stretching across Washington State, not all are used for motor vehicles, particularly in Longview—a small tourist hub with a bridge just for squirrels.

Situated on the border of Oregon and Washington, Longview may not be the most popular city in the Evergreen State, but it still offers the green and often unusual experiences synonymous with Washington itself. Tourists from all over continue to visit Longview for its proximity to Castle Rock—the entrance to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. And, in 1963, the city boasted a new international attraction: squirrels. Thanks to a man named Amos Peters and his Nutty Narrows Bridge, Longview is home to Washington’s most unique bridge built solely for squirrels.

How Longview became Washington’s squirrel capital

As a local builder in Longview, Amos Peters spent a lot of his time outside. One day, while working at the city’s Park Plaza, Peters and his coworkers noticed a number of local squirrels attempting—and unfortunately failing—to cross Olympia Way, a busy intersection. Why did those squirrels cross the road? Because an office building across the street continually left behind food for their furry friends.

Building the Nutty Narrows Bridge

Using aluminum piping and an old fire hose, Peters—along with architects Robert Newhall and LeRoy Dahl, engineer Donald Kramer, and construction peer Bill Hutch—built a 60-foot-long (18 meters) suspension bridge. Altogether, the project cost a total of $1000, and it didn’t take long before witnessing its success. Almost immediately, squirrels began trekking across the Nutty Narrows Bridge to gather food before returning to the Park Plaza, even bringing their kittens along with them.

The Nutty Narrows Bridge didn’t just become popular with squirrels either. The mini-bridge gained international attention, receiving countless letters from people all over the world thanking them for saving the local wildlife. And in 1983, when Peters temporarily took the bridge down for restoration, Disney’s Chip and Dale and Mickey Mouse showed up to the Washington town to help rededicate it.

The future for local squirrels

The Nutty Narrows Bridge continues to stand today. Locals even string lights across it during the holidays. Its popularity hasn’t dwindled either. The bridge has actually grown since its establishment in 1963—not in size but in numbers. Longview added a sister bridge in 2011, another in 2012, and three more since then, making a total of six squirrel bridges. And, according to the city’s website, it looks like more squirrel bridges are on their way.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.