Locust Creek Covered Bridge (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Locust Creek Covered Bridge |
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View of the bridge's upstream side.
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| Coordinates | 38°4′46″N 80°15′1″W / 38.07944°N 80.25028°W |
| Carries | pedestrians |
| Crosses | Locust Creek |
| Locale | near Hillsboro, West Virginia |
| Maintained by | West Virginia Division of Highways |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 114 ft (35 m) |
| Width | 13.5 ft (4.1 m) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1870 |
| Construction end | 1870 |
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Locust Creek Covered Bridge
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| MPS | West Virginia Covered Bridges TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000607 |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1981 |
The Locust Creek Covered Bridge is a special old bridge in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It's the only covered bridge left in that area! You can find it about 6 miles (10 km) from Hillsboro. Today, only people walking can use this historic bridge.
Building the Bridge
The Locust Creek Covered Bridge was first built in 1870. A person named R. N. Bruce was hired for the job. He was paid $1,250 to build this wooden covered bridge.
The bridge was finished in the same year, 1870. It was designed with a special type of structure called a Warren Double Intersection truss. The bridge stretched 114 feet (35 meters) long and was 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) wide.
Bridge Upgrades Over Time
Over the years, the bridge needed some repairs and changes. In 1888, the original bridge was replaced. This helped keep it strong and safe.
Then, in 1904, the bridge was rebuilt again. This time, W. M. Irvine did the work. He replaced important parts like the inside supports, the trusses, the side panels, and the roof.
In 1968, the bridge got a fresh coat of paint. A new floor made of strong oak wood was also put in. Some temporary supports were used during this work, and they were left in place for a while.
A Historic Landmark
The Locust Creek Covered Bridge is very important. On June 4, 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical site in the United States.
Modern Changes
In 1990, the state of West Virginia built a new, modern concrete bridge. This new bridge went around the old covered bridge. This meant cars no longer needed to drive over the historic wooden structure.
In 2002, the covered bridge was fixed up again. It was made into a bridge just for people walking. During this renovation, those temporary supports from 1968 were finally taken away.
