List of covered bridges in Tennessee Facts for Kids

Covered bridges are like special tunnels made of wood that help people cross rivers or valleys. They have roofs and walls, which protect the wooden parts from rain and snow. This helps the bridges last a very long time! In Tennessee, these unique bridges are a cool part of history and engineering. They remind us of how people used to build things in the past.

What is a Covered Bridge?
- How They Are Built
Famous Covered Bridges in Tennessee
Images for kids
See also

What is a Covered Bridge?

A covered bridge is a type of bridge that has a roof and enclosed sides. Imagine a long, wooden shed that you can drive or walk through! The main reason for covering these bridges was to protect the large wooden trusses and decking from the weather. Wood, when exposed to rain and sun, can rot and weaken quickly. By covering the bridge, builders made sure it would last much longer, sometimes for over a hundred years!

How They Are Built

Most covered bridges use strong wooden frames called "trusses." A truss is like a giant puzzle made of triangles. Triangles are very strong shapes, so they can hold a lot of weight. Different types of trusses have different names, like "King post" or "Howe truss." These names often come from the people who invented the designs.

Famous Covered Bridges in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to several historic and interesting covered bridges. Each one has its own story and unique features.

Bible Bridge

The Bible Bridge is found in Greene County, near Warrensburg. It was built in 1922, making it over 100 years old! This bridge is 57 feet (about 17 meters) long and crosses Little Chucky Creek. It uses a "Queen post" truss, which is a common and strong design. Sometimes, people also call it the Chucky Bridge.

Elizabethton Covered Bridge

The Elizabethton Covered Bridge is located in Carter County, right in the town of Elizabethton. This bridge is quite old, built way back in 1882. It's one of the longest covered bridges in Tennessee, stretching 134 feet (about 41 meters) across the Doe River. It uses a "Howe truss," which is a very sturdy design often used for longer bridges. It's a popular spot for photos!

Emerts Cove Covered Bridge

You can find the Emerts Cove Covered Bridge in Sevier County, close to Gatlinburg. While it looks old, this bridge was actually built more recently, in the year 2000. It's 84 feet (about 26 meters) long and crosses the Little Pigeon River. This bridge uses a "Stringer" design, which is a simpler type of bridge structure.

Harrisburg Covered Bridge

Also in Sevier County, near Sevierville, is the Harrisburg Covered Bridge. This bridge is very old, built in 1875. It spans 88 feet (about 27 meters) over the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River. It uses a "King post" truss, a classic and strong design. This bridge has a few other names too, like Pigeon River Covered Bridge or McNutts Bridge.

Holder Bridge

The Holder Bridge is located in Hamblen County, near Morristown. It was built in 1919 and is 27 feet (about 8 meters) long. It crosses a small stream called Moyer Branch. This bridge also uses a "Stringer" design. It's on private property, but sometimes the owners are happy for people to take a look from a distance.

Parks Bridge

The Parks Bridge is in Obion County, near Trimble. It was first built in 1912, but it was rebuilt in 1997 to keep it safe and strong. This bridge is 33 feet (about 10 meters) long. Interestingly, it crosses "dry land" instead of a river, meaning it might have been built over a ditch or a low spot. It uses a "King post" truss. It's also known as the Emerson E. Parks Farm Bridge.