Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandy Creek Covered BridgeState Historic Site |
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 Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
State Historic Site Location in Missouri
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
State Historic Site Location in the United States
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| Location | Jefferson, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 211.78 acres (85.70 ha) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Operator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site |
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Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
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| Nearest city | Hillsboro, Missouri |
| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1872; rebuilt in 1886 |
| Built by | House Springs Big River Valley Macadamized & Gravel Road Co.; rebuilt by Henry Steffin |
| Architectural style | Howe Truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000337 |
| Added to NRHP | July 8, 1970 |
The Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site is a special place in Jefferson County, Missouri. It is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This site protects the historic Sandy Creek Covered Bridge.
This bridge is one of only four covered bridges left in Missouri. Long ago, there were about 30 covered bridges in the state. The Sandy Creek bridge is also a rare example of a Howe truss bridge. This is a special way bridges are built. Only three Howe truss bridges remain in Missouri. The bridge crosses Sandy Creek, which is how it got its name. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it is an important historical landmark.
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The Bridge's History
Building the First Bridge
After the American Civil War, Jefferson County started building many new structures. In 1872, they paid John H. Morse $2000 to build the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge. That same year, six bridges were built along the Old Lemay Ferry Road. These bridges helped connect Hillsboro, the county's main town, to St. Louis County.
Rebuilding After a Flood
In 1886, high water destroyed the bridge. But it was rebuilt for $899 by Henry Steffin. He used half of the original wood and the same stone supports. The bridge is about 74.5 feet (22.7 meters) long. It is 18 feet 10 inches (5.74 meters) wide. The height of the bridge is about 13 feet (4 meters).
Protecting the Bridge
In 1967, the state government passed a law. This law said that all remaining covered bridges in Missouri would become state historic sites. Jefferson County gave the bridge to the state in 1968. A big project in 1984 made the bridge look just like it did when it was first built.
What You Can Do There
The Sandy Creek Covered Bridge is open for people to walk across. It is a great place to visit and learn about history. The historic site also has picnic tables where you can eat. There are also restrooms available. You can see special displays that tell you more about the bridge's history.
