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