Keller's Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keller's Mill Covered Bridge |
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On Rettew Mill Road in July 2006, before the bridge was disassembled and moved
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| Coordinates | 40°9′51″N 76°13′57″W / 40.16417°N 76.23250°W |
| Carries | Middle Creek Road (TR 660) |
| Crosses | Cocalico Creek |
| Locale | Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Cocalico No. 5 Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Guy Bard's |
| Maintained by | Lancaster County |
| WGCB # | 38-36-13 |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 74 ft (23 m) |
| Width | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Elias McMellen |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Lancaster County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003518 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1980 |
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The Keller's Mill Covered Bridge is a special kind of bridge that has a roof and sides, like a tunnel. It crosses over Cocalico Creek in Ephrata Township, which is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This bridge is owned and taken care of by Lancaster County. Its official name is the Cocalico No. 5 Bridge. People also sometimes call it the Guy Bard Covered Bridge or Rettew's Covered Bridge.
Because there was a lot of traffic on the old, one-lane bridge, a new steel and concrete bridge was built nearby in 2006. The Keller's Mill Covered Bridge was carefully taken apart. It was then moved a few miles downstream to replace another bridge on Mill Creek Road. Before it was moved, it was located at 40°10′11.4″N 76°12′16.8″W / 40.169833°N 76.204667°W.
Contents
History of the Bridge
The Keller's Mill Covered Bridge was first built in 1873 by a person named Elias McMellen. It cost about $2,075 back then.
Rebuilding After a Flood
After a big flood swept the bridge away, Elias McMellen rebuilt it in 1891. The bridge stayed in that spot for many years until it was taken apart and moved in 2006.
Moving and Reopening
The bridge was put back together in its new location in 2009. It was officially reopened for use on Middle Creek Road in December 2010.
Bridge Design and Features
The Keller's Mill Covered Bridge has a single span. It uses a special design called a wooden double Burr arch truss. This design uses strong arches to help support the bridge, along with steel rods. The part of the bridge you drive on, called the deck, is made from strong oak wood.
Unique White Color
This bridge is the only one in Lancaster County that is completely white on the outside. Many old barns and other covered bridges in the area are painted red. The inside of the bridge is not painted at all.
Bridge Measurements
Here are the measurements of the bridge when it was first built:
- Length: The main part of the bridge that spans the creek is 62 feet (18.9 meters) long. The total length of the bridge is 74 feet (22.6 meters).
- Width: The clear space for cars to drive is 13 feet 2 inches (4.0 meters) wide. The total width of the bridge is 15 feet (4.6 meters).
- Overhead clearance: This is how much space there is from the road to the roof, which is 11 feet (3.4 meters).
- Underclearance: This is the space from the bottom of the bridge to the water, which is 9 feet 8 inches (2.9 meters).
Measurements After Rebuilding in 2010
When the bridge was rebuilt and moved in 2010, its measurements changed slightly:
- Length: The span is now 72 feet (21.9 meters) long, and the total length is still 74 feet (22.6 meters).
- Width: The clear deck is 13.1 feet 2 inches (4.0 meters) wide, and the total width is 16 feet (5.1 meters).
- Overhead clearance: The space from the road to the roof is now 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 meters).
- Underclearance: The space from the bottom of the bridge to the water is now 13 feet 8 inches (4.0 meters).
