Photo courtesy of Leland Pauly

"A ferry was established on Middle Yuba near Oregon creek in 1850 by Matthew Sparks. The place was then called Nye’s Crossing. Thomas Hess built a bridge here in 1851, which was carried away by the flood that winter. He built another in 1852. Thomas Freeman purchased the bridge in 1854, and the place was afterwards called Freeman’s Crossing. He built a more substantial structure in 1855. This was destroyed in December, 1861, and he commenced the construction of a new one at the present location, which was carried away by the freshet in January, 1862, before its completion. The present bridge was built the same year and is forty miles from Marysville via San Juan. Gold mining commenced in 1851, and about seventy-five miners worked here in the early days. Freeman built a hotel there in 1853. In 1863, he erected a large building which is now used for a residence and hotel by him. Freeman also built a bridge across Oregon Creek in 1858, and in 1871 another, a little above the first, at a cost of $25,000. The original bridge was washed away subsequent to the construction of the new one."

- Thompson & West, History of Yuba County, 1879