Covered Bridges first appeared in the U.S. around 1804, but the history of these monuments to another age date back thousands of years to China.

Today there are hundreds of many fine specimens still surviving in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou and Zhejiang. Covered bridges had also existed in Europe since medieval times and there were once hundreds of them in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Other notable surviving examples world wide include the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam completed in 1595, the 650’ long Kappellbrucke Bridge built in 1333 near Lucerne, Switzerland.

A more recent example is the Lovech Bridge in Bulgaria.

But it’s here in the Northeastern U.S., where wooden covered bridge design and construction reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century.

A combination of pressing need, plentiful old growth northern forests, and sheer Yankee ingenuity, advanced the development of wooden covered bridges to a rare combination of marvelous engineering feats that were also pleasing to the eye.

WHY SO MANY COVERED BRIDGES IN THE NORTHEAST?

The northeast is a region of rivers, streams and creeks. As the population surged out away from coastal areas into the forested interior, villages sprung up near water sources. The water source was used to power mills in these towns, and villages often developed on both banks of a stream or river. Bridges were the obvious answer to connect these divided communities, and provide access for townsfolk to things like school, worship, and supplies.

Early covered bridges had simple constructions of trusses, which became more complicated as tougher problems were solved, and craftsmen evolved and patented designs.

While covered bridges can be found in many regions of the U.S. and Canada, New England and Pennsylvania are particularly well known for their abundant collection of preserved bridges. Of the tens of thousands originally built in the 19^th century a little over 800 survive in the States.

But why cover them? After all, this added considerable expense and time to the construction.

Well, much speculation has been put forth on this topic, which includes providing romantic opportunities to steal a kiss, and shelter for people and animals caught in a storm when traveling. No doubt about it, these are all side benefits of a covered bridge.

But the simple answer is protection against the weather for the bridge.  Here in New England, where I live, covered wooden bridges last about three times as long as those exposed to the elements, and reduces bridge maintenance as well. So, at least in the Northeast, the harsher climate tended to warrant the covering of a bridge.  During the 19^th and early 20^th century very few bridges built were not covered.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COVERED BRIDGES…

Most historians agree the first covered bridge in America was The Permanent Bridge completed in 1805 in Pennsylvania, and designed by Timothy Palmer from New England. The longest known Covered Bridge is The Hartland in New Brunswick, Canada, which at 1,282 feet spans the Saint John River.

But perhaps the most famous covered bridges are in Madison County, Iowa. The Bridges of Madison County used to number 19, but today only six survive. Robert James Waller’s novel, and the movie of the same name, popularized these bridges to millions worldwide, and also provided evidence that covered bridges in North America are by no means limited to the Northeast region. You’ll find smaller numbers in the mid-Atlantic and Southern States, along with the mid-West, and the Pacific Coast states as well.

A question often asked is why so many of the bridges are painted red on the outside?

Historians believe the red coating makes the bridge seem more like a barn to a horse, and as horses tended to be skittish about crossing high over flowing water, the illusion helped farmers and travelers navigate the obstacle with little incident.

THE CHANGING FACE OF THE COVERED BRIDGE IN NORTH AMERICA

As the twentieth century progressed bridge construction changed and metal manufactured truss bridges became first choice, and new wood construction all but vanished. The ease of construction, increased strength, and low cost of these metal bridges became too overwhelming to ignore for budget conscious communities in the U.S.

The “work horse” bridges of the 19^th century gave way to economics, and most wooden covered bridges quickly disappeared, except for the 800 left for admirers to view today. Though many of the remaining covered bridges still perform their original transportation function, most are kept and maintained for posterity and tourism, and as a reminder of our heritage.

BEST VIEWING OF COVERED BRIDGES…

For sheer volume Pennsylvania and Vermont take honors, accounting for well over a third of the remaining bridges. Parke County, Indiana, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, each have 30 covered bridges in scenic and rural areas, and on acclaimed tour routes.

Self-guided tours are also popular in New England for covered bridge vacations, particularly in Vermont and New Hampshire where many of the bridges are close to other destination and attraction spots.

As a covered bridge enthusiast I can tell you half the fun is finding the bridges. The major highways bypassed the roads where most bridges are located many years ago, making the remoteness of a covered bridge sometimes an adventure in locating. And when you finally arrive at a covered bridge and begin to size up the photogenic qualities of the structure, first spend some time getting acquainted with your new friend.

Ed Barna, author of a popular book on Vermont Covered Bridges, suggests appreciating the bridge by first walking into the interior, and taking in the design and massive timbers used in the framework. Mr. Barna recommends you “consider the size of the trees that had to be cut to make them.”

Then step outside the bridge, and imagine the construction site. The completed bridge being laid to rest on top of the temporary “false work” and the final moment-of-truth… the destruction of the “false work.” Would the bridge cave in on itself and break apart, or would it settle into a slight camber, evidence the joints were tight and the bridge built well.

As you view an authentic covered bridge remember it was built for a simple functional purpose…getting from one bank to other. But it was constructed with the skill and care of craftsmen, who’ve unwittingly left a rich heritage for our generation to enjoy, and for us to preserve for future folks.

Treasure these woodworking masterpieces as you travel and tour rural North America, and rediscover a symbol of the pioneering spirit that embraced both U.S. and Canada during the nineteenth century.

Cliff Calderwood is contributing editor of a leading New England destinations site. For more details on covered bridges in New England and to pick up your free vacation reports go to his site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/

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