Covered Bridges Today facts for kids
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| Author | Brenda Krekeler |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Covered bridges |
| Genre | Architecture |
| Publisher | Daring Books |
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Publication date
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1989 |
| ISBN | 0938936727 |
Covered Bridges Today is a non-fiction book all about the cool architecture of covered bridges in the United States. Brenda Krekeler wrote this book, and Daring Books published it in 1989.
This book is often used as an important source of information about covered bridges. It even records many bridges that have since been taken down or destroyed. Krekeler's book talks about 412 covered bridges across fourteen states. It has a complete list of all 142 covered bridges in Ohio from when she wrote it in 1986 and 1987. Other books and surveys have used Covered Bridges Today as a reference. These include New England's Covered Bridges: A Complete Guide and Indiana Covered Bridges.
Contents
What Are Covered Bridges?
Covered bridges are special timber-truss bridges. They have a roof and sides that almost completely enclose them. The main reason for this covering was to protect the wooden parts from snow and rain. Snow could easily make a bridge collapse. The steep roof also helped snow slide off.
As of 2014, the United States still has over 800 covered bridges. However, more than 10,000 historical bridges have been lost. Brenda Krekeler became very interested in covered bridges, their stories, and their history while she was in college. She earned her master's degree in Historical Geography from the University of Cincinnati.
What's Inside the Book?
Covered Bridges Today shares details about 412 bridges in fourteen different states. These states include Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The book focuses a lot on Ohio, which is Krekeler's home state. It includes all 142 covered bridges that were still standing in Ohio when she wrote the book. The book doesn't list every single bridge in every state. For example, it included 76 of Pennsylvania's estimated 228 bridges and 68 of Indiana's 98 bridges. Krekeler used estimates because covered bridges are sometimes lost. Also, some bridges were being restored or were in danger of falling apart. Sadly, within a year of the book coming out, 30 bridges were lost.
Details for Each Bridge
The book gives lots of information about each state's historic bridges. Then, it lists each surveyed bridge individually. For each bridge, you'll find:
- A description of the bridge
- Its history
- A black and white photograph
- A local street map with directions
The book also has many color photographs. These range from full-page pictures to smaller ones. Krekeler mentions that construction dates before 1850 can be hard to confirm. This is because old records are often missing or they don't agree with each other.
Krekeler used many sources for her book. These included state maps, local newspapers, and other books like World Guide to Covered Bridges. She listed her sources at the end of each bridge's entry, right after the directions. The book doesn't have a typical index. Instead, it lists the bridges after the introduction for each state. Daring Books published the book in 1989.
How the Book Made an Impact
Covered Bridges Today has been very important for people studying these unique structures. Larry Hart reviewed the book and liked how Krekeler explained the different types of covered bridges. He also enjoyed the historical facts and fun trivia. Hart even said it was the "only complete pictorial study of covered bridges in the United States."
Dr. Roger A. McCain noted that the book has "really exquisite color photographs." He also said it was "especially strong for Ohio and Indiana." Paul Grondahl called the book an "encyclopedic, definitive work" in an article.
The Historic American Engineering Record has cited Krekeler's work many times. This shows how useful her research is. Other books about covered bridges have also used Covered Bridges Today as a source. These include New England's Covered Bridges: A Complete Guide, Indiana Covered Bridges, and Covered Bridges in Virginia.
