Furnace Covered Bridge No. 11 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Furnace Covered Bridge No. 11
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The bridge in September 2012
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Location | Pennsylvania Route 373, Cleveland Township, Pennsylvania |
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Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
Built | 1882 |
Built by | C.W. Eves |
Architectural style | Queen Post Truss |
MPS | Covered Bridges of Columbia and Montour Counties TR |
NRHP reference No. | 79003190 |
Added to NRHP | November 29, 1979 |
The Furnace Covered Bridge No. 11 is a special old wooden bridge located in Cleveland Township, Pennsylvania. It's called a "covered bridge" because it has a roof and sides, just like a house! This bridge is quite long, stretching about 100 feet (30 meters), and it crosses over the North Branch of Roaring Creek. It was built a long time ago, in 1882, and is one of many historic covered bridges in Columbia and Montour Counties.
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Discovering the Furnace Covered Bridge
The Furnace Covered Bridge No. 11 is a beautiful example of old-fashioned engineering. It's made entirely of wood and has a dark, tarred metal roof. Imagine crossing a river inside a wooden tunnel! That's what it feels like to go over this bridge.
What is a Covered Bridge?
You might wonder why bridges were covered. It wasn't just for looks! The main reason was to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from bad weather. Rain, snow, and even strong sunlight can damage wood over time. By covering the bridge, builders made sure it would last much longer. This helped keep the bridge strong and safe for people and wagons to cross for many years.
Building the Bridge
The Furnace Covered Bridge was built in 1882 by a person named C.W. Eves. He used a special design called a "Queen Post Truss." This is a type of bridge structure that uses strong wooden beams arranged in triangles. These triangles help to spread out the weight and make the bridge very sturdy. It's a clever way to build a strong bridge using wood.
A Special Landmark
This bridge is not just any old bridge; it's considered a very important piece of history. In 1979, the Furnace Covered Bridge No. 11 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as a significant historical site in the United States. It helps us remember how people built things in the past and how important these structures were for travel and trade. It's a great place to visit and imagine what life was like over a hundred years ago!