Share Your Red Bridge Photos, Get a Chance to Win Our New Coffee

In January, First Best Place will introduce a coffee in partnership with Montana Coffee Traders, the Red Bridge Blend. The coffee–an organic, shade-grown Mexican dark variety–will bring in proceeds to benefit First Best Place programs and raise awareness about the old Red Bridge in Columbia Falls. You can pre-order the coffee here.

In 2012, the Historic Red Bridge will mark its 100th birthday. For generations the bridge has served as both useful infrastructure and memorable landmark. After nearly 80 years as a critical connection point between the east and west side of the Flathead, it was taken out of service at the end of the 80s, splitting the community in half and eliminating one of the few safe river crossings in Flathead County. For over 20 years, the community around the bridge has been trying to restore this critical crossing.

We want to see your photos of the Red Bridge, old and new. Share them with us on facebook, twitter, or e-mail us by January 10th–we’ll select a winner to receive the first bag of our Red Bridge Blend coffee on January 10th, 2012, and post the top 10 photos on our website.

The First Best Place is committed to the rehabilitation of the historic Red Bridge as a pedestrian crossing. The project is a joint effort of Flathead County, the City of Columbia Falls, First Best Place, and the Montana Department of Transportation. As to the recent setbacks, we want to assure all of you who have made donations to the Old Red Bridge project that we are holding those funds securely. We are committed to being a part of making this happen. It will take everyone working together, but it can be done.

Please contact us to see what you can to do to contribute to the rehabilitation of the Red Bridge.