Sachs Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sachs Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°47′50.5″N 77°16′34″W / 39.797361°N 77.27611°W |
| Carries | Waterworks Road (TR 509 / TR 405) |
| Crosses | Marsh Creek |
| Locale | Adams, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Other name(s) | Sauck's |
| Maintained by | Gettysburg Preservation Association |
| WGCB # | 38-01-01 |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Width | 15.3 ft (4.7 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | David S. Stoner |
| Closed | May 9, 1968 |
| Designated: | August 25, 1980 |
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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| Designated: | July 20, 1997 |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Adams, Cumberland, and Perry Counties TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003395 |
| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1980 |
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The Sachs Covered Bridge, also known as Sauck's Covered Bridge, is a famous old bridge in Pennsylvania. It stretches 100 feet (about 30 meters) over Marsh Creek. This special bridge connects two townships in Adams County. It is known for its unique design and its important role in American history. Many people also say the bridge is haunted, adding to its mystery. It was officially recognized as a historic place in 1980.
During the American Civil War, both the Union and Confederate armies used this bridge. They crossed it during and after the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
History of Sachs Bridge
The Sachs Covered Bridge was built around 1854. It cost about $1,544 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
On July 1, 1863, during the American Civil War, Union soldiers marched across this bridge. Two groups from the Union Army crossed it on their way to Gettysburg. Another group, the III Corps, also used the bridge. Four days later, after the Union victory at Gettysburg, most of General Robert E. Lee's Confederate army retreated over the bridge.
In 1938, the bridge was named Pennsylvania's "most historic bridge." This was done by the state's Department of Highways. Later, in 1968, local officials decided to close the bridge to cars. This was to protect it. However, people could still walk across it. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1980.
In 1996, a big flash flood hit the area. The flood was so strong that it knocked the bridge off its supports. This caused a lot of damage. Luckily, a restoration project was already underway. An extra $100,000 was raised to fix the new damage. The bridge was officially reopened on July 21, 1997.
How the Bridge Was Built
The Sachs Covered Bridge is a type of bridge called a Town truss covered bridge. This special design was created by a person named Ithiel Town from Connecticut. The design uses wooden beams that criss-cross each other, like a lattice fence. This makes the bridge very strong.
The Sachs Covered Bridge is 100 feet (about 30 meters) long. It is also about 15 feet 4 inches (about 4.7 meters) wide. It was one of the few Town truss bridges left in Pennsylvania.
Images for kids
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The Sachs Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania.
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Another view of the historic Sachs Covered Bridge.
