TYGART VALLEY RIVER
BARBOUR COUNTY
BUILT - 1852
Length - 286' (Originally 312') ... In Philippi. US250 E. 300' from jct with US119 to the bridge. Built by Lemuel Chenoweth, with masonry by Emmett J. O'Brien bringing the total cost to $12,180.68. The bridge was used on June 3, 1861, as it was crossed by both the Union and Confererate troops after the Battle of Philippi, which by some sources was the first land battle of the American Civil War. The Union Troops proved to be victorious. The bridge was subsequently crossed by both Union and Confederate troops in various stages of the war. The bridge has undergone a number of renovations after being severely damaged at least seven times over the years. In 1934-1938, increased motorized traffic mandated the addition of two concrete piers to the bridge's substructure (for a total of five) along with a new steel reinforced concrete deck (to replace the wooden one) and an external walkway to better accommodate pedestrian traffic. Fire severely damaged the bridge on February 2, 1989, caused by a careless fuel truck driver. The bridge was then closed to traffic until a $1.4 million reconstruction was completed, using as much original material as possible to restore the structure to its original appearance. Today, the original, burnt trusses and supports can still be seen when driving through the bridge. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on September 14, 1972. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Burr Arch Through Truss Variant.
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 48-01-01
GPS +39.15300, -80.04335
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