Robyville Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Robyville Bridge
|
|
The bridge in 1970
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Over Kenduskeag Stream, Robyville, Corinth, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architectural style | Howe Truss System |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000061 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1970 |
The Robyville Bridge is a really old and special covered bridge located in Corinth, Maine. It was built way back in 1876! This bridge uses a cool design called a Howe truss. It's one of the few covered bridges from the 1800s that are still standing in Maine. The bridge helps people cross Kenduskeag Stream on Covered Bridge Road. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Discovering the Robyville Bridge's History
The Robyville Bridge is a famous landmark in the small town of Corinth, Maine. It crosses the Kenduskeag Stream, which flows all the way to the Penobscot River near Bangor. For many years, the Robyville area was known for its sawmills. These mills might have been there since the town was first settled in the late 1700s. We don't know how many bridges were built here before the current one in 1876.
What Makes the Robyville Bridge Special?
The Robyville Bridge goes roughly north to south across the stream. It's a single-span bridge, meaning it crosses the entire distance without any supports in the middle. It is about 76 feet (23 m) long. The opening for cars is about 14 feet (4.3 m) high, and the whole bridge stands about 16 feet (4.9 m) tall.
How the Bridge Was Built
The bridge rests on strong supports called abutments. These are made from large, rough-cut granite blocks. The southern support was made even stronger with concrete in the 1900s. The bridge uses a special design called a modified Howe truss. This means it has a strong framework of wood and metal. Some parts, like the king posts in the middle, are even doubled for extra strength.
Underneath the road, there are strong crossbeams that connect the trusses. The road itself is made of wooden planks laid side to side. There are also two special tracks for wheels to roll on. The sides of the bridge are covered with wooden shingles, and the roof has asphalt shingles. The Robyville Bridge is still open for cars to drive across today! It was also repaired in a big way in 1984 to keep it safe.
