Frankenfield Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frankenfield Covered Bridge
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![]() South end of Frankenfield Covered Bridge
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Location | North of Tinicum on Township 421, Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania |
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Built | 1872 |
Architectural style | Town truss |
MPS | Covered Bridges of the Delaware River Watershed TR |
NRHP reference No. | 80003444 |
Added to NRHP | December 1, 1980 |
The Frankenfield Covered Bridge is a special wooden bridge in Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania. It crosses over Tinicum Creek. This historic bridge is found in Bucks County. You can find it on Cafferty Road. It is not far from Vansant Airport.
This bridge was built a long time ago, in 1872. It is a type of bridge called a Town truss. This means it has a special crisscross pattern of wood beams. The bridge is made from strong oak wood. A sign on the bridge says it is about 130 feet (40 meters) long. It also has a height limit of 9.42 feet (2.87 meters).
Contents
About the Frankenfield Covered Bridge
The Frankenfield Covered Bridge is a great example of old-time engineering. Covered bridges were built to protect the wooden parts from weather. This helped them last much longer. Without a roof and sides, rain and snow would quickly damage the wood.
Why is it a Covered Bridge?
Imagine a bridge with a roof and walls, like a long, narrow barn. That's a covered bridge! The main reason for covering these bridges was to protect the wooden structure. Wood can rot or weaken if it's always exposed to rain, snow, and sun. The cover acts like a giant shield. This helped the bridges last for many, many years. It also made them safer for people and animals to cross in bad weather.
Building the Bridge
The Frankenfield Covered Bridge was built in 1872. It uses a design called a "Town truss." This design was invented by an architect named Ithiel Town. It uses many crisscrossing wooden planks. These planks are held together with wooden pegs. This creates a strong and stable structure. Oak wood was used for this bridge. Oak is a very strong and durable type of wood.
Dimensions and Location
The bridge is quite long for a wooden structure. It measures about 130 feet (40 meters) from one end to the other. The height clearance is about 9.42 feet (2.87 meters). This means taller vehicles might not fit through. The bridge is located in a scenic area of Bucks County. It is near Headquarters Road and East Dark Hollow Road. Hollow Horn Road also branches off nearby.
A National Historic Place
The Frankenfield Covered Bridge is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 1, 1980. This means it is recognized as a significant historical site in the United States. Being on this list helps protect the bridge. It ensures that it will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.