Shaeffer Campbell Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shaeffer Campbell Covered Bridge |
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Shaeffer Campbell Covered Bridge in 2009.
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| Coordinates | 40°04′28″N 80°58′15″W / 40.07445°N 80.97097°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian |
| Crosses | College Pond |
| Locale | Belmont County, Ohio |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Multiple kingpost truss |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 68 feet (21 m) |
The Shaeffer Campbell Covered Bridge is a special wooden bridge. It is located on the campus of Ohio University Eastern Campus in St. Clairsville, Ohio. This bridge crosses a small body of water called College Pond.
The Bridge's Story
This bridge was first built in 1875. It was originally located in Fairfield County, Ohio, near a town called Amanda, Ohio. The bridge crossed Clear Creek there.
The Shaeffer Campbell Bridge was built using a style called "multiple kingpost truss." This design uses many wooden triangles to make the bridge strong. A famous bridge builder named James W. Buchanan is believed to have built it.
In 1973, a farm tractor accidentally fell through the bridge's floor. This caused damage to the structure. Two years later, in 1975, the bridge was given to Belmont County.
At that time, Belmont County did not have any covered bridges left. Their last one had collapsed in 1953. So, the Shaeffer Campbell Bridge was taken apart carefully. It was then moved to a county garage in Lloydsville, Ohio.
Workers put the bridge back together and fixed it up. In 1975, it was placed over College Pond. The county engineer, R.J. Boccabella, officially opened it.
What the Bridge Looks Like
The Shaeffer Campbell Bridge is 68-foot-long (21 m). It is made of wood and sits on wooden supports. These supports go down into the muddy bottom of College Pond.
The railings leading up to the bridge look like those on the Mark Twain House. Mark Twain was a famous American writer. The bridge has a flat wooden floor. It was built to hold wagons and horses.
Today, cars are not allowed on the bridge. It is only for people walking across it. For example, local high schools use it for cross country running events every year.
The bridge has slanted front supports. This allows the roof to stick out further than the sides. The roof shingles are placed so water runs off easily. This stops leaks. The sides of the bridge are made of wooden planks. They are nailed up and down with small gaps.
The bridge is usually painted red. You can see it from Interstate 70. This highway runs less than 1,000 feet (300 m) south of the bridge.
