Colville Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colville Covered Bridge
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Colville Covered Bridge
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hinkston Creek - four miles northwest of Millersburg, Kentucky |
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| Built | Early 19th century |
| Architectural style | Burr Truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000850 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1974 |
The Colville Covered Bridge is a historic bridge in Kentucky. It stretches 124 feet (38 m) long and is 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. You can find it crossing Hinkston Creek, about four miles northwest of Millersburg, Kentucky.
This bridge stands 28 feet (8.5 m) above the water. It is in a quiet, rural area. Local people and farm vehicles are the main users of this bridge.
The Colville Covered Bridge
The Colville Covered Bridge was built in 1877. It is a special part of Kentucky's history. At one time, there were over 400 covered bridges in the state. Today, only 13 of these amazing structures remain.
The bridge uses a special design called a Burr truss. This design helps make the bridge very strong. It uses many upright posts, often placed about 10 feet apart. This system helps the bridge support its own weight and the weight of traffic.
Why Bridges Were Covered
Have you ever wondered why old bridges were covered? There were a few good reasons for this in the 1800s.
One main reason was to protect the wood. The yellow poplar wood used for the bridge was very strong. But if it was left out in the weather, it would rot. The roof and sides kept the wood dry. This made the bridge last much longer, sometimes seven to eight times longer!
Another reason was to help horses. Horses could get scared if they saw the water flowing far below. The covered sides blocked their view. This made it safer and easier for them to cross the bridge.
