Landis Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Landis Mill Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 40°04′05″N 76°20′41″W / 40.0680°N 76.3448°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Little Conestoga #1 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | single span, double pyramidal-shaped Burr-type truss, multiple king post truss |
| Total length | 53 feet (16.2 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Elias McMellen |
| Construction begin | 1873 |
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The Landis Mill Covered Bridge is a special kind of bridge found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's called a covered bridge because it has a roof and sides, just like a house! This bridge crosses the Little Conestoga Creek. Its official name is the Little Conestoga #1 Bridge.
This historic bridge was built way back in 1873. Today, it stands near busy areas like a shopping center and highways in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Landis Mill Covered Bridge is the shortest covered bridge in Lancaster County, measuring about 53 feet (16.2 meters) long.
The bridge has a unique design. It uses a special type of wooden frame called a Burr-type truss and also king post trusses. These are like strong support beams that help the bridge hold up. It's the only bridge in the county with this exact design! The floor of the bridge is made from strong oak wood. The whole bridge is painted red, which is a traditional color for covered bridges in Lancaster County.
The Landis Mill Covered Bridge is an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. You can find it northwest of Lancaster on Shreiner Road, close to the Park City Center shopping mall.
Building the Landis Mill Bridge
The Landis Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1873 by a person named Elias McMellen. He was a famous bridge builder in Lancaster County. Building this bridge cost $969 back then.
McMellen built many covered bridges in the area. For this shorter bridge, he used a simpler design. Instead of the usual Burr arches, he used special pyramid-shaped trusses for extra support. Even though the area around it has grown with new buildings and roads, the Landis Mill Covered Bridge is still standing strong!
Bridge Facts and Features
This covered bridge is 53 feet (16.2 meters) long in total. The part you drive on is about 13 feet (4.0 meters) wide. It's tall enough for most vehicles, with an overhead clearance of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters).
The bridge's design is very interesting. Inside, you can see the strong wooden trusses that support it. These include the multiple kingpost truss and the Burr-type pyramidal-shaped support truss. These designs make the bridge very sturdy.
Gallery
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One of the approaches to the bridge
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Side view
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Three quarters view
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Inside of the bridge showing the Multiple kingpost truss and the Burr-type pyramidal-shaped support truss design
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Closeup of the truss joint
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The bridge identification sign inside the bridge
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One of the inside corners of the bridge with the roof
