Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge |
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The bridge in July 2006
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| Coordinates | 40°4′33.7″N 76°28′15.5″W / 40.076028°N 76.470972°W |
| Carries | Siegrist Road |
| Crosses | Chiques Creek |
| Locale | Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | Big Chiques #6 Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Michael Moore's Mill |
| Maintained by | Lancaster County |
| NBI # | 367230034202060 |
| Characteristics | |
| Width | 6.1 m (20 ft) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | James C. Carpenter |
| MPS | Covered Bridge of Lancaster County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003513 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1980 |
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The Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge is a special kind of bridge. It is a covered bridge, which means it has a roof and sides, looking a bit like a long, narrow barn. This bridge is 88 feet long and crosses Chiques Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The bridge is officially called the Big Chiques #6 Bridge. It is owned and taken care of by Lancaster County. In 1980, this historic bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important places in the U.S.
History of the Bridge
This covered bridge was built in 1885 by a builder named James C. Carpenter. It got its name from the Siegrist family, who lived very close to the bridge.
The Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge has faced some tough weather. In 1972, it survived Hurricane Agnes with only a little bit of damage. However, in 2011, a big flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee was much stronger.
On September 8, 2011, the floodwaters were so powerful that they ripped the bridge right off its foundations! The bridge was then swept downstream by the rushing water. After this, parts of the bridge, like its siding, roof, and some main support beams, needed to be replaced.
It cost about $750,000 to fix the bridge. The repairs took some time, but the bridge was finally reopened in August 2013, ready for people to use again.
How the Bridge is Built
The Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge has a unique design. It uses a single span, which means it crosses the creek without any supports in the middle. Its main structure is made of wood, using something called a double Burr arch truss. This design uses strong wooden arches to help support the bridge's weight. Steel rods were also added to make it even stronger.
The floor of the bridge, where cars drive, is made from strong oak planks. The entire bridge is painted red, which is a traditional color for many covered bridges in Lancaster County. The parts leading up to the bridge are painted white.
Bridge Measurements
- Length: The main part of the bridge (the span) is 92 feet (28 meters) long. The total length of the bridge is 102 feet (31.1 meters).
- Width: The part where vehicles drive (the clear deck) is 12 feet 9 inches (3.9 meters) wide. The total width of the bridge is 15 feet (4.6 meters).
- Overhead Clearance: The space from the road to the roof is 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 meters). This tells you how tall a vehicle can be to pass through.
- Underclearance: The space from the bottom of the bridge to the water is 10 feet (3.0 meters).
Images for kids
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Approach view of the bridge from the air
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Three quarters view of the bridge from the air
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Overhead view of the bridge from the air
