Dimmsville Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
Dimmsville Covered Bridge
|
|
![]() Dimmsville Covered Bridge
|
|
Location | West of Dimmsville, Greenwood Township, Pennsylvania |
---|---|
Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
Architectural style | Burr truss |
MPS | Covered Bridges of Juniata and Snyder Counties TR |
NRHP reference No. | 79002245 |
Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
The Dimmsville Covered Bridge was a historic covered bridge that once stood near Dimmsville in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. It was a special type of bridge known as a Burr Truss bridge. This bridge was about 100 feet (30 meters) long. It had vertical wooden sides, small windows near the roof, and a pointed, or gable, roof. The bridge crossed over Cocolamus Creek.
Contents
What Was the Dimmsville Covered Bridge?
The Dimmsville Covered Bridge was a beautiful example of old-fashioned engineering. Covered bridges are bridges with walls and a roof. They were built to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and snow. This helped the bridges last much longer.
Design of the Bridge
The Dimmsville bridge used a design called a Burr Truss. This design was created by an American architect named Theodore Burr. It combines strong wooden arches with a crisscross pattern of beams. This makes the bridge very sturdy and able to hold a lot of weight.
The bridge's sides were made of vertical wooden boards. It also had small windows along the top, just under the roof. These windows let in light and air. The roof was shaped like a triangle, which is called a gable roof. This design helped rain and snow slide off easily.
Where Was It Located?
The Dimmsville Covered Bridge was found in Greenwood Township, Pennsylvania. It was a well-known landmark in the area. The bridge crossed over Cocolamus Creek, a local waterway.
A Piece of History: National Register
The Dimmsville Covered Bridge was considered very important. Because of its historical value, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1979.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and structures that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When something is listed, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our country's heritage. It also helps protect these places.
The Bridge's End
Sadly, the Dimmsville Covered Bridge is no longer standing. After many years, the bridge was not kept in good repair. On April 11, 2017, the bridge collapsed. This was a sad day for local history and for those who loved the old bridge.