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Ann Byrnes sits on the Coyote Creek Slough original wood bridge. The drawbridge portions over the sloughs were not technically drawbridges, but iron truss spans rotating around a central pier. The original wood bridges were replaced in 1904.

"With the coming of World War I, one bridge tender was replaced by three, working eight-hour shifts. They were William Carrera, the chief tender, Lewis Holden, and Jim Hardy.Their duties were opening the bridge, which was by this time engine-activated, and greasing and performing minor maintenance on the machinery." O. L. "Montey" Dewey.

Beginning in the 1920's, navigation became troublesome in the sloughs due to accumulating silt caused by diked salt ponds. By 1940, the sloughs were no longer functional for marine traffic.

Chief tender William Carrera and his family left Drawbridge in 1940 when his job was no longer required. William's house was called The Song Gun Club. Neighbors called it "city type" because it was so fancy. He had his own well and a large raised deck.

A drawbridge still remains over Mud Slough for use by the Cargill Salt Company. In 1955, the Coyote Creek Slough drawbridge was replaced by a trestle.

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