The timber built, covered crossing, which spanned the Chehalis River, protected a railroad track used by several rail companies in the region.

Some of the last to remain was a span over the Newaukum River near Alexander Park, which was removed in 1958, and a crossing at Curtis that was replaced with a steel girder bridge in 1975.

[6] The Doty Bridge was considered to be in good condition but was disconnected by Weyerhaeuser from the rail line by 1965;[7] part of the railroad track was still in use by 1969.

Demolition was paused after concerns were noted by local residents and historians that the bridge could be preserved for its historical significance.

Before the bridge's acceptance to the National Register of Historic Places, one proposed plan in early 1976 was to move the assembly to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, where it was considered for use as a footbridge over Salzer Creek, connecting a parking lot to the grounds.

The final rail connection was removed, people were strongly urged not to walk under through the structure due to continuing decay, and a portion of the bridge was noted to be "leaning badly".

[9] Covered bridges were used as a cost-saving measure, protecting untreated railroad ties which were used due to the high cost of creosote during the 1920s and 1930s.

[3] The Doty Bridge was formally delisted on July 16, 1990 after a letter from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation days prior informed the NRHP that the structure had been destroyed.