A span over the Petaluma River at Black Point was first constructed by Peter Donahue and his San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad (SF&NP) in the late 19th century.[3] The original railroad bridge was part of a branch connecting Ignacio to Sonoma and Glen Ellen.[3] The bridge and the Black Point area became a stopping point, where drawbridge tenders and other railroaders lived and where potential riders could buy tickets. SF&NP merged with Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1907 and ownership of the railroad branch changed hands.
Northwestern Pacific replaced the original bridge, with construction being completed in 1911.[4] The bridge became publicly owned in the 1990s as the newly formed North Coast Railroad Authority assumed the assets of the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad.[5] The bridge carried rail traffic until 2001, when it was deemed unsafe to use.[4]
The bridge was struck by barges multiple times and the Coast Guard determined that it was a safety hazard, no longer meeting river navigation safety requirements.[5] The bridge became the subject of a lawsuit between the Rail Authority and the barge company, with the rail authority seeking compensation for collision damage to the bridge.[6] Quoted in 2005, the barge operator stated: "It's so old that if you touch it, it crumbles."[5] Ultimately, the Rail Authority repaired the bridge by 2011, including repairs to the piles, bracing, caps, steel bearing assemblies and electrical and mechanical systems, bringing the bridge up to modern standards.[4] Rail traffic resumed using the bridge after the repairs.
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