Friday, July 24, 2020

BELLS MILLS COVERED BRIDGE - WEST NEWTON, PENNSYLVANIA














                                                                                                   SEWICKLEY CREEK
                                                                                           WESTMORELAND COUNTY
                                                                                                           BUILT - 1850

Length - 107'.... E. of West Newton. PA136 ENE 2.5 miles from jct with PA31 just E. of West Newton, S. on Bells Mills Rd. 0.5 miles to the bridge. Designed and built by Daniel McCain. Completely restored in 1988. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 1980. ( Bells Mills covered bridge stood in for a covered bridge in Iowa in the classic Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood film, "Bridges of Madison County." Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Burr Arch with tilting vertical truss members. It features pedimented gables and plain pilasters in the Greek Revival style.
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 38-65-01 

HENRY COVERED BRIDGE - NEW EAGLE, PENNSYLVANIA









                                                                                                          MINGO CREEK
                                                                                                WASHINGTON COUNTY
                                                                                                           BUILT - c 1881

Length - 37'.... In Mingo Creek County Park W. of New Eagle, Nottingham Township. PA84 W. 1.8 miles from jct with PA837 in New Eagle, S. on Ginger Hill Rd. 0.1 miles, W. on Little Mingo Rd. 1.2 miles, S. on SR1059 1.1 miles, E. on Mansion Hill Rd. 150' to the bridge. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1979. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Queen Through Post with I-Beams.
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 38-63-16

WRIGHT/CERL COVERED BRIDGE - BENTLEY, PENNSYLVANIA










                                                                                       NORTH BRANCH PIGEON CREEK
                                                                                                WASHINGTON COUNTY
                                                                                                     BUILT - 1875-1899*

Length -26'.... NW of Bentleyville, Somerset Township. Johnston Rd. W. 1.5 miles from jct with PA917 (Main St.) in Bentleyville, NW. (right) on Lincoln Av. 0.5 miles, N. (curves W.) on Sprowles Rd. 1.3 miles, continue W. on School Rd. 0.7 miles, N. (right) on Short Cut Rd. 0.25 miles. Bridge is 0.25 miles to the N. on Ridge Rd., which is blocked off to auto traffic. Restored in 1998. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1979. Open to through traffic.  Truss Type - Covered Kingpost Through Truss
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 38-63-30 
( Unknown when restored if or what part of original bridge parts were utilized in the restoration.)

LOYS STATION COVERED BRIDGE - THURMONT, MARYLAND













                                                                                                        OWENS CREEK
                                                                                                   FREDERICK COUNTY
                                                                                                          BUILT - 1848 *

Length - 90' .... ESE of Thurmont, District 4, Creagerstown Township. MD77 E. 3.8 miles from jct with US15 in Thurmont, S. on Old Frederick Rd. 0.3 miles to the bridge. Arsoned 1991, rebuilt 1994*.  After the arson it took three years before the rebuilding effort was completed. It included the use of original hardware, rafters, and braces from the arsoned bridge. Reconstruction included interior lighting and fire-retardant materials. The total reconstruction cost was nearly $300,000. The rebuilding was constructed to the 1930s version when the steel beams and center pier was added for reinforcement. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1978. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Multiple Kingpost Through Truss
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 20-10-03

Friday, July 17, 2020

UTICA MILLS COVERED BRIDGE - FREDERICK, MARYLAND













                                                                                                     FISHING CREEK
                                                                                                FREDERICK COUNTY
                                                                                                        BUILT - 1891

Length - 101'.... N. of Frederick, Lewistown Township. US15 N. 3.3 miles from jct with MD355 on the N. side of Frederick, continue N. on Old Frederick Rd. 1.6 miles, W. on Utica Rd. 0.15 miles to the bridge. Utica Mills has an interesting history. In 1889  the disastrous Johnstown Flood washed away a 250', two span covered bridge over the Monocacy River on Devilbiss Road in Frederick County. One span was saved, dismantled and two years later reconstructed as a 101' covered bridge on Utica Road, just off Frederick Road in Utica,m Maryland over Fishing Creek. The original bridge is usually referred to as Devilbiss Road Covered Bridge. After being rebuilt and moved to the new location, the bridge was renamed Utica Mills Covered Bridge. In 1934 the flooring was reinforced with steel beams and a center pier was added for additional support. Bridge since then  has been rehabilitated in 1970, 1996, and later in 2015. Bridge was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1978. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Single Span Burr Arch Through Truss..
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 20-10-01