This road near Olequa was originally the first Northern Pacific right of way as the railroad built its route from Portland to Seattle. It, along with a bridge across the Cowlitz River, dates from 1871. A station was built in Olequa, but early travelers had to switch to stagecoaches there if they were headed north. There was a store and a hotel —and a surprising number of people living in the area —including a long-time Native American village near Olequa. The Northern Pacific moved its route later, including a new bridge. The old bridge was at the end of this road, where you can see a fallen branch. The flood of 1906 wiped out what was left of the original bridge, leaving only a single concrete pier. As for the town of Olequa, there's little to show that it ever existed.