Lime Valley Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lime Valley Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°57′39″N 76°14′06″W / 39.9607°N 76.2350°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Pequea #8 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | single span, double Burr arch truss |
| Total length | 103 feet (31.4 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Either Joseph Cramer or Elias McMellen |
| Construction begin | 1871 |
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The Lime Valley Covered Bridge is a special kind of bridge called a covered bridge. It's also known as the Strasburg Bridge or Pequea #8 Bridge. This historic bridge crosses Pequea Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. The county owns and takes care of this bridge.
This bridge has a unique design. It uses a single span with a double Burr arch truss system, which means it has strong wooden arches and crisscrossing beams. Steel rods are also added for extra support. The bridge deck, where cars drive, is made from sturdy oak wood. Like many covered bridges in Lancaster County, it's painted red on both the inside and outside. The paths leading up to the bridge are painted white.
The Lime Valley Covered Bridge is a very important historical site. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of places in the United States that are worth preserving. It was added to this list in 1980. You can find the bridge near U.S. Route 222, southeast of Willow Street in West Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania.
Building the Bridge
This historic bridge was built in 1871. It cost about $3,500 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The builders were either Joseph Cramer or Elias McMellen.
The Lime Valley Covered Bridge was actually a twin to another covered bridge. That other bridge was built in 1857 by Silas Wolverton. It was located only 200 ft (61 m) to the west of where the Lime Valley Covered Bridge stands today.
How Big is the Bridge?
Here are some interesting facts about the size of the Lime Valley Covered Bridge:
- Length: The main part of the bridge that spans the creek is 93 feet (28.3 m) long. The total length of the bridge is 103 feet (31.4 m).
- Width: The part where vehicles drive is 13 feet (4.0 m) wide. The total width of the bridge is 15 feet (4.6 m).
- Overhead Clearance: If you're driving through, you have 12 feet (3.7 m) of space above you.
- Underclearance: The space between the bottom of the bridge and the water below changes. It can be from 3 feet (0.9 m) to 11 feet (3.4 m).
Images for kids
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A view of the bridge from an angle.
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A view of the bridge from the side.
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A look inside the bridge, showing the Burr arch truss design.
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A view of the bridge from the air, showing it from an angle.
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A view of the bridge from the air, showing it from the side.
