Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 40°06′19″N 76°14′54″W / 40.1053°N 76.2482°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Big Conestoga #6 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | single span, double Burr arch truss |
| Total length | 133 feet (41 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Elias McMellen |
| Construction begin | 1867 |
|
|
The Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge is a special type of bridge called a covered bridge. It stretches across the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This bridge is owned and cared for by the county. Its official name is the Big Conestoga #6 Bridge. People also know it by other names, like Pinetown Covered Bridge or Bushong's Mill Bridge.
This bridge has a single span and is made of wood. It uses a special design called a double Burr arch truss, which also includes strong steel rods for extra support. The floor of the bridge is made from sturdy oak planks. The entire bridge is painted red, which is a common color for many covered bridges in Lancaster County. Even the paths leading up to the bridge are painted red with white edges.
The Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge has a special number, 38-36-05, from the World Guide to Covered Bridges. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's an important historical structure. You can find it at these map coordinates: 40.10533 degrees North, -76.24817 degrees West. Near the bridge, a smaller stream called Lititz Run flows into the Conestoga River.
Contents
History of the Pinetown Bridge
How the Bridge Was Built
The Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1867. A builder named Elias McMellen constructed it. The cost to build this bridge was about $4,500 at that time.
Surviving Storms and Rebuilding
In 1972, a big storm called Hurricane Agnes caused a lot of flooding. Sadly, the flood waters destroyed the bridge. But many people in the area really wanted the bridge back. They signed a petition asking for it to be rebuilt. Because of their strong support, it was one of the first covered bridges to be fixed after Hurricane Agnes.
In the spring of 1973, the local Amish community helped rebuild the bridge. To prevent future flood damage, they raised the bridge much higher. They lifted it to be 17 feet 6 inches above the usual water level. However, in 2011, another storm, Tropical Storm Lee, caused more flood damage. The bridge had to be closed again for repairs. It was finally reopened in January 2014.
Bridge Measurements
Understanding the Bridge's Size
Knowing the dimensions helps us understand how big and strong the bridge is. Here are some key measurements for the Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge:
- Length: The main part of the bridge, called the span, is 124 feet long. The total length of the bridge is 133 feet.
- Width: The clear space on the deck where vehicles drive is 12 feet 10 inches wide. The total width of the bridge is 15 feet.
- Overhead Clearance: This is how much space there is from the bridge deck to the roof. It is 11 feet 6 inches.
- Underclearance: This measures the space from the bottom of the bridge to the water. The county government lists it as 15 feet. However, when measured from the average water level, it is 17 feet 6 inches.
Images for kids
-
A view of the bridge from the side
-
One of the paths leading to the bridge
-
The inside of the bridge, showing the Burr arch truss design
-
A view from inside, looking out through a side window
