Forry's Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forry's Mill Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 40°03′59″N 76°28′41″W / 40.06646°N 76.4781°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Big Chiques #7 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | single span, double Burr arch truss |
| Total length | 103 feet (31.4 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Elias McMellen |
| Construction begin | 1869 |
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The Forry's Mill Covered Bridge is a cool old covered bridge that goes over Chiques Creek in West Hempfield, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's owned and looked after by the county, and its official name is the Big Chiques #7 Bridge. (Fun fact: The creek used to be called Chickies Creek until 2002!)
This bridge has a special design called a double Burr arch truss. This means it uses strong wooden arches to help support the bridge. It also has extra steel rods for more strength. The floor of the bridge is made from tough oak wood.
You'll notice the bridge is painted red, which is a common color for covered bridges in Lancaster County. Both the inside and outside are red. The paths leading up to the bridge are painted white.
The Forry's Mill Covered Bridge is a really important historical spot. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as a special place worth protecting. You can find it in West Hempfield Township on Bridge Valley Road. It's not far from where another old bridge, the Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge, used to be.
Building the Bridge
The Forry's Mill Covered Bridge was built way back in 1869. A skilled builder named Elias McMellen constructed it. The cost to build this amazing bridge was $2,969, which was a lot of money back then!
Over the years, the bridge has needed some care. In 1925, parts of its sides and floor had to be repaired to keep it strong and safe for everyone to use.
Bridge Design and Features
The Forry's Mill Covered Bridge is a great example of old-time engineering. It uses a special design called a Burr arch truss. This design combines strong wooden arches with a crisscross pattern of timbers. This makes the bridge very sturdy.
The bridge is made mostly of wood, which was a common building material in the 1800s. The red paint helps protect the wood from weather and makes it easy to spot. Covered bridges like this were built to protect the wooden parts from rain and snow, helping them last much longer.
Gallery
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A wide view of the side of the bridge, showing its classic red color.
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A closer look at the side of the bridge, highlighting its wooden structure.
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One of the white-painted paths leading up to the bridge entrance.
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Inside the bridge, you can see the amazing Burr arch truss design.
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A view of the bridge from underneath, showing its strong supports.
Images for kids
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A view of the bridge from above, showing its location.
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Another aerial view, showing the side of the bridge and its surroundings.
