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Covered Bridges Discovering A North American Living History
overed Bridges first from coastal areas into the
appeared in the U.S. around forested interior, villages
1805, but the history of sprung up near water sources. The
these monuments to another age water source was used to power
date back thousands of years to mills in these towns, and
China. Covered bridges had also villages often developed on both
existed in Europe since medieval banks of a stream or river.
times and there were once Bridges were the obvious answer
hundreds of them in Switzerland, to connect these divided
Austria and Germany. communities, and provide access
for townsfolk to things like
But it’s here in the Northeastern school, worship, and supplies.
U.S., where wooden covered bridge
design and construction reached But why cover them?
its pinnacle in the nineteenth
century. A combination of While much speculation has been
pressing need, plentiful old put forth on this topic; the
growth northern forests, and simple answer is protection
sheer Yankee ingenuity, advanced against the weather for the
the development of wooden covered bridge. Here in New England,
bridges to a rare combination of where I live, covered wooden
marvelous engineering feats that bridges last about three times as
were also pleasing to the eye. long as those exposed to the
elements, and reduce bridge
WHY SO MANY COVERED BRIDGES IN maintenance as well. During the
THE NORTHEAST? 19th and early 20th century very
few bridges built were not
The northeast is a region of covered.
rivers, streams and creeks. As
the population surged out away INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COVERED
BRIDGES...
Historians believe the red
Most historians agree the first coating makes the bridge seem
covered bridge in America was The more like a barn to a horse, and
Permanent Bridge completed in as horses tended to be skittish
1805 in Pennsylvania, originally about crossing above flowing
designed by Timothy Palmer from water, the illusion helped
New England. The longest known farmers and travelers navigate
covered bridge is The Hartland in the obstacle with little incident
New Brunswick, Canada, which at from their four-legged friends.
1,282 feet spans the Saint John
River. THE CHANGING FACE OF THE COVERED
BRIDGE IN NORTH AMERICA
But perhaps the most famous
covered bridges are in Madison As the twentieth century
County, Iowa. The Bridges of progressed bridge construction
Madison County used to number 19, changed and metal manufactured
but today only six survive. truss bridges became first choice
Robert James Waller’s novel, and over wood. The ease of
the movie of the same name, construction, increased strength,
popularized these bridges to and low cost of these metal
millions worldwide, and also bridges became too overwhelming
provided evidence that covered to ignore for budget conscious
bridges in North America are by communities in the U.S.
no means limited to the Northeast
region. The "work horse" bridges of the
19th century gave way to
A question often asked is why so economics, and most wooden
many of the bridges are painted covered bridges in the U.S.
red on the outside? quickly disappeared, except for
the 800 left for admirers to view adventure in locating. While
today. Though many of the covered bridges make ideal photo
remaining covered bridges still opportunities there’s much more
carry traffic - even cars - most to view than just a pretty
are kept and maintained for picture.
tourism, and as a reminder of our
heritage. Experts suggest appreciating the
bridge by first taking in the
VIEWING OF COVERED BRIDGES... design and massive timbers used
in the framework. For authentic
For sheer volume Pennsylvania and bridges these timbers came from
Vermont take honors, accounting virgin forests where 100 feet
for well over a third of the high trees were common.
remaining bridges.
As you view an authentic covered
Self-guided tours are also bridge remember it was built for
popular in New England for a simple functional purpose -
covered bridge vacations, getting from one bank to other.
particularly in Vermont and New But it was constructed with the
Hampshire where many of the skill and care of craftsmen,
bridges are close to other who’ve unwittingly left a rich
destination and attraction spots. heritage for future generations
to enjoy. Treasure these
As a covered bridge enthusiast I woodworking masterpieces as you
can tell you half the fun is travel rural North America, and
finding the bridges. The major rediscover a symbol of the
highways bypassed the roads where pioneering spirit that embraced
most bridges are located many both U.S. and Canada during the
years ago, making the remoteness nineteenth century.
of a covered bridge sometimes an
About the Author:
For details on New England destinations and attractions and to grab your free valuable travel reports go to Cliff's New England destinations site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/
Read more articles by: Cliff Calderwood
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