Bellbank Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bellbank Covered Bridge |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°50′48″N 76°01′13″W / 39.8466°N 76.0204°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 112 feet (34.1 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Robert Russell |
| Construction begin | 1850 |
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The Bellbank Covered Bridge was a special kind of covered bridge in Pennsylvania. It stretched 112 feet (34 meters) across the Octoraro Creek. This bridge connected Lancaster County and Chester County.
Sadly, the Bellbank Covered Bridge was destroyed by fire on March 19, 1979. Before that, people sometimes called it Bridge #11. Today, a modern steel bridge stands in its place.
Contents
The Bellbank Covered Bridge: A Look Back
The Bellbank Covered Bridge had a long and interesting history. It was a well-known landmark in its area.
Building the Original Bridge
The Bellbank Covered Bridge was built in 1850. A builder named Robert Russell constructed it over the Octoraro Creek. He also rebuilt another bridge, the Pine Grove Covered Bridge, a few years earlier.
The bridge got its name from James Patterson Bell. He was a Colonel during the American Revolutionary War. Colonel Bell owned a large piece of land nearby. His home, a gristmill, and a sawmill were all on this land.
Fires and Rebuilding
In June 1860, the Bellbank Covered Bridge caught fire. This happened after it was struck by lightning. Robert Russell, the original builder, was hired again. He rebuilt the bridge for $1,739.
Sometime in the 1960s, there were plans to tear down the bridge. But instead, it was repaired and made strong again.
The Final Fire and What Came Next
On March 19, 1979, the bridge was destroyed by fire. Someone found a burnt gas can in the middle of the bridge. This suggested the fire was not an accident.
After the fire, the community wanted to rebuild it as a covered bridge. They asked the PennDOT for help. However, their request was not approved. Instead, an open steel-beam bridge was built to replace it.
As of 2006, there has been talk about building a new covered bridge. This new bridge would look just like the original Bellbank Covered Bridge.
