Dreese's Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Dreese's Covered Bridge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Beaverton, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Built | 1870 |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Juniata and Snyder Counties TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002343 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
The Dreese's Covered Bridge is a special kind of wooden bridge found in Beaver Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It's called a "covered bridge" because it has a roof and sides, just like a house! This helps protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and snow, making it last much longer. The bridge is located northeast of Beavertown and crosses over Middle Creek.
It was built a long time ago, around 1870. In 2001, the bridge was fixed up and made strong again. Even though cars used to drive over it, a new road was built around it in 1979. Now, Dreese's Covered Bridge is only for people to walk across, making it a peaceful spot to visit. It's also recognized as an important historical place, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1979.
What Makes This Bridge Special?
Dreese's Covered Bridge is about 95 feet long. It uses a special strong design called a Burr Arch-Truss. This design combines strong wooden arches with a crisscross pattern of beams (called a truss). This mix makes the bridge extra sturdy and able to hold a lot of weight, even though it's made of wood.
A Look at Its Design
The Burr Arch-Truss system was invented by a man named Theodore Burr. He figured out a way to make wooden bridges super strong. The arches help support the main weight, while the truss parts keep the bridge from swaying or twisting. This clever design was very popular for covered bridges in the 1800s. It allowed engineers to build long and durable bridges using mostly wood.
Its History
When Dreese's Covered Bridge was built in 1870, it was an important link for people and goods traveling in Snyder County. Covered bridges were common back then because they protected the wooden structure from bad weather. This meant the bridges lasted much longer than open wooden bridges. Over time, as cars became more common, many covered bridges were replaced with newer, wider bridges.
However, Dreese's Covered Bridge was saved. In 1979, a new road was built nearby, which meant cars no longer needed to cross it. This helped preserve the old bridge. It was then listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a valuable part of American history. In 2001, it got a big makeover to ensure it stays safe and sound for many more years, allowing people to enjoy its history and unique design.
