List of covered bridges in Delaware facts for kids
Below is a list of covered bridges in Delaware.
Have you ever seen a bridge with a roof and walls? These are called covered bridges! They look like long, cozy tunnels over water. In the U.S. state of Delaware, there are only three real covered bridges. Two of them are very old and special because of their history.
A bridge is considered "authentic" not just because it's old, but because of how it's built. Real covered bridges use a special criss-cross pattern of wood beams called a truss system. This makes them very strong. Other bridges might just use long, straight beams, which is a different way to build them.
What Makes a Covered Bridge Special?
Covered bridges were built with roofs and sides to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain, snow, and sun. Just like a roof protects your house, the cover protected the bridge's wooden structure from rotting or wearing out too quickly. This made the bridges last much longer!
Most covered bridges were built using a system called a truss. Imagine a bunch of triangles connected together – that's kind of what a truss looks like! These triangles are super strong and help the bridge hold a lot of weight. Some common truss types you might hear about are the "Town lattice" (which looks like a criss-cross pattern) and the "Burr truss" (which uses big arches along with the truss).
Covered Bridges in Delaware
Delaware is home to three unique covered bridges. Each one has its own story and special features. Let's take a look at them!
| Name | Image | County | Location | Built | Length | Crosses | Truss Type | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Covered Bridge |  |
New Castle | Ashland 39°47′53″N 75°39′29″W / 39.79806°N 75.65806°W |
Around 1860 | 52 feet (16 m) (about 16 meters) | Red Clay Creek | Town | This historic bridge has been standing for over 160 years! |
| Smith's Bridge |  |
New Castle | Beaver Valley 39°50′15″N 75°34′44″W / 39.83750°N 75.57889°W |
Original: 1839, Rebuilt: 1956, 1962, 2002 | 143 feet (44 m) (about 44 meters) | Brandywine Creek | Burr | The original bridge sadly burned down in 1961, but it was rebuilt to look just like it! |
| Wooddale Bridge |  |
New Castle | Wooddale 39°45′57″N 75°38′14″W / 39.76583°N 75.63722°W |
Around 1850, Rebuilt: 2008 | 60 feet (18 m) (about 18 meters) | Red Clay Creek | Town | This bridge was carefully rebuilt in 2008 to keep its historic charm. |
See Also
- List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Delaware
- World Guide to Covered Bridges
