East Oriental Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
East Oriental Covered Bridge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Meiserville, Pennsylvania and Oriental, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Architectural style | Burr truss |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Juniata and Snyder Counties TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002246 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
The East Oriental Covered Bridge, also known as the Sheaffer Covered Bridge, is a special old wooden bridge in Pennsylvania. It's found near the towns of Meiserville and Oriental, crossing the Mahantango Creek. This bridge is about 90 feet (27 meters) long and has a unique design called a Burr Truss. Even though it's a bridge, cars don't use it anymore. It's important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, which means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
What is a Covered Bridge?
A covered bridge is a special type of bridge that has a roof and sides, just like a house. These bridges are usually made of wood. The roof and sides protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain, snow, and sun. This helps the wood last much longer. Without the cover, the wood would rot and wear out quickly.
Why Bridges Were Covered
In the past, most bridges were made of wood. Wood is a great building material, but it can get damaged by weather. Imagine leaving a wooden fence out in the rain and sun for years; it would eventually start to fall apart. The same thing would happen to a wooden bridge. By adding a roof and walls, builders could keep the main structure of the bridge dry and safe. This made the bridges last for many, many years, sometimes over a century!
The Burr Truss Design
The East Oriental Covered Bridge uses a special building method called a Burr Truss. This design was invented by an American architect named Theodore Burr in the early 1800s.
How the Burr Truss Works
A Burr Truss combines two different types of bridge designs. It uses strong wooden arches that go over the top of the bridge. These arches help carry the weight. It also uses a pattern of crisscrossing wooden beams, called a "truss." This truss system makes the bridge very strong and stable. The combination of arches and trusses makes the Burr Truss design very effective for building long, sturdy wooden bridges. Many covered bridges in Pennsylvania and other states use this clever design.
A Piece of History
The East Oriental Covered Bridge is more than just a way to cross a creek; it's a link to the past. It shows us how people built things long ago and how they protected their important structures.
Listed as Historic
In 1979, the East Oriental Covered Bridge was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on this list means the bridge is recognized as a valuable part of our heritage and should be preserved for future generations to see and learn from. It reminds us of a time when these beautiful wooden structures were common across the countryside.
