Erwinna Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Erwinna Covered Bridge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Erwinna, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Built | 1871 |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of the Delaware River Watershed TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003434 |
| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1980 |
The Erwinna Covered Bridge is a special wooden bridge that crosses Swamp Creek in Erwinna, Pennsylvania, United States. It's known for its unique design and history.
Contents
About the Erwinna Covered Bridge
This bridge is a type of covered bridge, which means it has a roof and sides. This helps protect the wooden structure from weather like rain and snow, making it last longer. The Erwinna Covered Bridge was built using a special "lattice-type" design. This means its wooden beams cross each other in a criss-cross pattern, like a lattice fence. This design makes the bridge very strong.
Bridge Design and Size
There are different ideas about when the bridge was built. Some records say it was built in 1871, while others suggest it was much earlier, in 1832. No matter the exact year, it's an old and important part of the area's history.
The Erwinna Covered Bridge is the shortest covered bridge in Bucks County. It is only about 56 feet (17 m) long and 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. Even though it's small, it's a well-known landmark.
Decorations and Community Spirit
During the winter months, the bridge gets a festive makeover. A local church, the Church Of Tinicum, decorates it with lighted pine ropes and wreaths. These decorations are placed on each side of the bridge, making it look very pretty and welcoming during the holiday season.
Bridge Incidents and Repairs
Like many old structures, the Erwinna Covered Bridge has faced some challenges. In September 2012, a tall truck hit the bridge. This caused damage to its structure. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) estimated it would take several months to fix. Luckily, the bridge was repaired and reopened just three months after the accident.
In May 2013, some people sprayed graffiti on the bridge's decorative doors and the concrete around it. Similar markings were found on another nearby bridge. Later that year, on July 22, 2013, the bridge was hit again by a delivery truck. This caused more structural damage. The bridge had to be closed again while engineers from PennDOT checked it and planned for repairs.
