Bells Mills Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bells Mills Covered Bridge
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Bells Mills Bridge, 1939
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | West of Yukon, Sewickley Township and South Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Built by | McCain, Daniel |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003648 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1980 |
The Bells Mills Bridge is a really old and special wooden bridge in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It's called a "covered bridge" because it has a roof and sides, just like a house! This bridge was built way back in 1850 and crosses Sewickley Creek. It's famous enough to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history.
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Discovering Bells Mills Covered Bridge
The Bells Mills Bridge is a historic wooden bridge. It connects Sewickley Township and South Huntingdon Township. This special bridge is about 95 feet (29 meters) long. It was built using a strong design called a Burr truss.
What is a Covered Bridge?
Covered bridges are like tunnels made of wood. They were very popular in the 1800s. The roof and sides helped protect the wooden parts of the bridge. This kept the wood from rotting quickly due to rain and snow. So, covered bridges lasted much longer than open wooden bridges.
Building the Bells Mills Bridge
The Bells Mills Bridge was built in 1850. A builder named Daniel McCain helped create it. The bridge uses a design called a Burr truss. This design was invented by Theodore Burr. It combines strong wooden arches with a crisscross pattern of beams. This makes the bridge very sturdy.
Greek Revival Style
The Bells Mills Bridge also has a special look. It's built in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. You can see this in its pointed gables, which are like the triangular parts of a roof. It also has plain pilasters, which are flat columns on the sides.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its age and unique design, the Bells Mills Bridge is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the bridge for future generations. It reminds us of how people built things long ago.
