Fleisher Covered Bridge facts for kids
The Fleisher Covered Bridge is a really old and special wooden bridge in Oliver Township, near Newport, in Perry County, Pennsylvania. It's called a "covered bridge" because it has a roof and walls, just like a house! This helps protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and snow, making it last much longer.
Quick facts for kids |
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Fleisher Covered Bridge
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Fleisher Covered Bridge, October 2010
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Northwest of Newport on Township 477, Oliver Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | Yohn & Ritter |
| Architectural style | Burr |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Adams, Cumberland, and Perry Counties TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003601 |
| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1980 |
Contents
About the Fleisher Bridge
The Fleisher Covered Bridge is a historic structure that connects people across Big Buffalo Creek. It was built a long time ago, in 1887. This means it's over 130 years old! Imagine all the people and wagons, and later cars, that have crossed this bridge over the years.
How the Bridge Was Built
This bridge is 113-foot-long (34 m), which is about the length of three school buses parked end-to-end. It uses a special design called a Burr truss. This design was invented by an engineer named Theodore Burr. It uses strong wooden beams arranged in a crisscross pattern, along with arches, to make the bridge very sturdy and able to hold a lot of weight.
The builders of the Fleisher Covered Bridge were Yohn & Ritter. They were skilled craftspeople who knew how to work with wood to create strong and lasting structures. In 1960, some steel I-beams were added to the bridge. These metal beams helped make the bridge even stronger and safer for modern traffic.
Why Bridges Are Covered
You might wonder why some old bridges have roofs and walls. This is a clever way to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from bad weather. Just like a house protects its residents, the cover protects the bridge's timber from rain, snow, and sun. Without this protection, the wood would rot and weaken much faster.
Covered bridges were very common in the 1800s. They were an important part of travel and trade. They allowed people to cross rivers and streams safely, even when the water was high.
A Historic Landmark
The Fleisher Covered Bridge is considered so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1980. The National Register is a list of places in the United States that are special because of their history, architecture, or what they mean to a community. Being on this list helps protect the bridge and makes sure it can be enjoyed by future generations.
The bridge is managed locally, meaning people in the area help take care of it. It's a great example of old-time engineering and a beautiful part of Pennsylvania's history.
Images for kids
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The inside of the Fleisher Covered Bridge, showing the Burr truss design.
