List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina facts for kids
Did you know that some bridges and tunnels are so special they get listed on a national register? In North Carolina, there are several amazing bridges and tunnels that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites that need to be protected and remembered. These structures tell us a lot about how people built things in the past and how transportation has changed over time. Let's explore some of these cool historic crossings!
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Historic Bridges of North Carolina
North Carolina is home to many interesting bridges, each with its own story. These bridges were built using different styles and materials, showing how engineering has evolved.
Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge was built way back in 1895. It's a special type of bridge called a covered bridge, which means it has a roof and sides, almost like a long, narrow house. This design helped protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain and snow, making it last much longer. It uses a design called a Haupt truss, which is a specific way the wooden beams are arranged to make the bridge strong. You can find this historic bridge near Claremont.
Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge
The Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge was first built in 1910 and then updated in 1932. It's known as a Camelback Truss bridge because its top part looks a bit like a camel's hump. This design is very strong and was often used for bridges that needed to cross wide spaces. This bridge is located near Cumnock-Gulf.
Hunting Creek Railroad Bridge
The Hunting Creek Railroad Bridge is a very old bridge, built around 1860 and then again around 1890. It's a Stone Arch Masonry bridge, meaning it's made from strong stones carefully placed to form arches. These types of bridges are incredibly durable and were often used for railroads because they could support heavy trains. This historic railroad bridge is found near Morganton.
King Street Overhead Bridge
The King Street Overhead Bridge was constructed between 1938 and 1939. It's a Rigid-frame bridge, which is a modern design where the supports and the main bridge deck are built as one solid piece. This makes the bridge very stable and strong. You can see this bridge in Kings Mountain.
Pisgah Community Covered Bridge
Another fantastic covered bridge is the Pisgah Community Covered Bridge, built around 1910. Like the Bunker Hill Bridge, it has a roof and sides to protect its wooden structure. This bridge uses a modified queenpost truss design, which is another way of arranging the wooden beams to create a sturdy crossing. It's located in Pisgah.
Scuppernong River Bridge
The Scuppernong River Bridge was built between 1926 and 1927. This bridge is a Warren ponytruss swing span. A swing span bridge is very cool because a part of it can actually swing open to let boats pass through! The Warren ponytruss refers to the way its metal beams are arranged in triangles, making it strong without needing a top support structure above the road. This bridge crosses the Scuppernong River near Columbia.
Skeen's Mill Covered Bridge
The Skeen's Mill Covered Bridge was built sometime between 1885 and 1900. It's another beautiful covered bridge in North Carolina. This one combines two types of truss designs: a Town lattice-truss and a queenpost. This mix of designs helped make it extra strong and unique. It's located near Flint Hill.
Southern Railway Company Overhead Bridge
The Southern Railway Company Overhead Bridge was built in 1919. This bridge is a T-beam type, which means it uses strong T-shaped beams to support the road or railway above. These types of bridges are common for carrying roads or railways over other roads or obstacles. You can find this bridge also in Kings Mountain.