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Covered Bridges - Discovering A North American Living History

Covered Bridges first appeared in the U.S.bridge seem more like a barn to a horse, and
around 1805, but the history of theseas horses tended to be skittish about
monuments to another age date back thousandscrossing above flowing water, the illusion
of years to China. Covered bridges had alsohelped farmers and travelers navigate the
existed in Europe since medieval times andobstacle with little incident from their
there were once hundreds of them infour-legged  friends.
Switzerland,  Austria  and  Germany.
THE CHANGING FACE OF THE COVERED BRIDGE IN
But it's here in the Northeastern U.S., whereNORTH  AMERICA
wooden covered bridge design and construction
reached its pinnacle in the nineteenthAs the twentieth century progressed bridge
century. A combination of pressing need,construction changed and metal manufactured
plentiful old growth northern forests, andtruss bridges became first choice over wood.
sheer Yankee ingenuity, advanced theThe ease of construction, increased strength,
development of wooden covered bridges to aand low cost of these metal bridges became
rare combination of marvelous engineeringtoo overwhelming to ignore for budget
feats  that  were  also  pleasing to the eye.conscious  communities  in  the  U.S.
WHY SO MANY COVERED BRIDGES IN THE NORTHEAST?The "work horse" bridges of the 19th century
gave way to economics, and most wooden
The northeast is a region of rivers, streamscovered bridges in the U.S. quickly
and creeks. As the population surged out awaydisappeared, except for the 800 left for
from coastal areas into the forestedadmirers to view today. Though many of the
interior, villages sprung up near waterremaining covered bridges still carry traffic
sources. The water source was used to power- even cars - most are kept and maintained
mills in these towns, and villages oftenfor tourism, and as a reminder of our
developed on both banks of a stream or river.heritage.
Bridges were the obvious answer to connect
these divided communities, and provide accessVIEWING  OF  COVERED  BRIDGES...
for townsfolk to things like school, worship,
and  supplies.For sheer volume Pennsylvania and Vermont
take honors, accounting for well over a third
But  why  cover  them?of  the  remaining  bridges.
While much speculation has been put forth onSelf-guided tours are also popular in New
this topic; the simple answer is protectionEngland for covered bridge vacations,
against the weather for the bridge. Here inparticularly in Vermont and New Hampshire
New England, where I live, covered woodenwhere many of the bridges are close to other
bridges last about three times as long asdestination  and  attraction  spots.
those exposed to the elements, and reduce
bridge maintenance as well. During the 19thAs a covered bridge enthusiast I can tell you
and early 20th century very few bridges builthalf the fun is finding the bridges. The
were  not  covered.major highways bypassed the roads where most
bridges are located many years ago, making
INTERESTING  FACTS  ABOUT  COVERED BRIDGES...the remoteness of a covered bridge sometimes
an adventure in locating. While covered
Most historians agree the first coveredbridges make ideal photo opportunities
bridge in America was The Permanent Bridgethere's much more to view than just a pretty
completed in 1805 in Pennsylvania, originallypicture.
designed by Timothy Palmer from New England.
The longest known covered bridge is TheExperts suggest appreciating the bridge by
Hartland in New Brunswick, Canada, which atfirst taking in the design and massive
1,282  feet  spans  the  Saint  John  River.timbers used in the framework. For authentic
bridges these timbers came from virgin
But perhaps the most famous covered bridgesforests where 100 feet high trees were
are in Madison County, Iowa. The Bridges ofcommon.
Madison County used to number 19, but today
only six survive. Robert James Waller'sAs you view an authentic covered bridge
novel, and the movie of the same name,remember it was built for a simple functional
popularized these bridges to millionspurpose - getting from one bank to other. But
worldwide, and also provided evidence thatit was constructed with the skill and care of
covered bridges in North America are by nocraftsmen, who've unwittingly left a rich
means  limited  to  the  Northeast  region.heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Treasure these woodworking masterpieces as
A question often asked is why so many of theyou travel rural North America, and
bridges  are  painted  red  on  the  outside?rediscover a symbol of the pioneering spirit
that embraced both U.S. and Canada during the
Historians believe the red coating makes thenineteenth century.



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