Gilkey Bridge is a 120 foot span of the Howe truss design over Thomas creek just a few miles west of Scio.

Until 1960 it proudly stood next to a covered railroad bridge.

The bridge is named after the no longer existant town of Gilkey, which in turn was named in honor of William and Allen Gilkey.  Gilkey was a town of significant activity, established shortly after the arrival of the railroad in 1880.

Approximatley 1/10 of a mile south of the bridge one can see a faded historical sign commemorating Gilkey Station, which reads.  The station served as a shipping point for farm products.

The bridge was damaged by an overweight load in 1997, and nearly lost.  Temporary cables were installed to keep the bridge from collapsing under its own weight, and steps were taken for permanent repairs, which were completed by 1998 when the bridge was reopened.

Like many of the covered bridges on the tour, this one spans a popular swimming hole.  In the summer visitors may find local youth foregoing the obligatory rope hanging from the bridge's framework to climb to the top and jump from its roof into the deep, cool waters below.