Waterford Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterford Covered Bridge |
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The bridge in July 2014
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| Coordinates | 41°56′28″N 79°57′48″W / 41.94111°N 79.96333°W |
| Carries | Niemeyer Road (T 463) |
| Crosses | LeBoeuf Creek |
| Locale | Erie, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Other name(s) | Wattsburg Road, Old Kissing, Brotherton |
| Maintained by | Waterford Township |
| NBI number | 000000000016497 |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 85.9 ft (26.2 m) |
| Width | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Height | 10.3 ft (3.1 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Charles and James Phelps |
| Closed | 2011 |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Erie County Thematic Resource |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003492 |
| Added to NRHP | September 17, 1980 |
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The Waterford Covered Bridge is a special kind of covered bridge called a Town lattice truss bridge. It crosses LeBoeuf Creek in Waterford Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. This bridge was built in 1875 and is about 85.9 ft (26.2 m) long.
It is one of only two covered bridges still standing in Erie County. It is also the only Town lattice truss bridge in the county and one of just 19 like it in all of Pennsylvania. The bridge was studied by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1936. Later, in 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which recognizes important historical sites. Sadly, the bridge was closed in 2011 because it was getting old and needed repairs.
Contents
What Does the Waterford Covered Bridge Look Like?
The Waterford Covered Bridge is located southeast of the town of Waterford. It stretches 78 feet (24 m) over LeBoeuf Creek. The entire bridge is about 85.9 feet (26.2 m) long and 14 feet (4.3 m) wide. It has one lane for cars on Niemeyer Road.
How Was the Bridge Built?
The road inside the bridge is 13.5 feet (4.1 m) wide. It has "transverse decking," which means the wooden planks go across the bridge. There are also two long wooden strips, called "linear runners," that help guide cars and make less noise. The bridge is only 10.3 feet (3.1 m) tall inside. This low height has caused problems, as tall trucks have hit the bridge many times.
The bridge was designed by Richard Cross using a special method called a Town lattice truss. This design uses many wooden beams that cross each other at angles, held together by wooden pins. This type of bridge is quite rare today. There are only 19 Town lattice bridges left in Pennsylvania, and the Waterford Covered Bridge is the only one in Erie County.
Unique Features of the Bridge
The Waterford Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge in Erie County that has been painted. Its outside is a classic "barn red" color. You might also notice a strange blue metal pipe structure attached to the bridge's south side. It has a special support frame and might be connected to nearby pipelines, but its exact purpose is a bit of a mystery.
When the bridge was first built, there were white signs above each entrance. They said, "Old Kissing Bridge built in 1875 by the Phelps Bros." These signs were taken down in the mid-2000s. After the bridge closed, "Bridge Closed" signs were put up in the same spot, with concrete blocks blocking the road.
History of the Waterford Covered Bridge
The very first covered bridge in the United States was built in 1805 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the late 1800s, over 1,500 covered bridges had been built across Pennsylvania. In 1820, a man named Ithiel Town created and patented his Town lattice truss design.
This design became very popular because it used smaller pieces of wood, which were cheaper and easier to find than large, heavy timbers. It was also simple enough for builders who weren't highly skilled to construct. The Town lattice truss was so strong that it was even used for wooden and iron railroad bridges.
Who Built the Bridge?
The Waterford Covered Bridge was built in 1875 by two brothers, Charles and James Phelps. Someone who saw it being built in 1936 said that it took them about two months to finish the bridge.
In 2001, Waterford Township received a grant of $54,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. This money was used to replace parts of the bridge, including the rafters, roof, and wooden shingles.
How the Bridge Is Used Today
As of 2014, there are only two covered bridges left in Erie County: the Waterford Covered Bridge and the Harrington Covered Bridge. Sadly, two other bridges, the Carmen Covered Bridge and Gudgeonville Covered Bridge, were destroyed by fires in 1996 and 2008.
The Waterford Covered Bridge has been damaged several times by trucks that were too tall to fit through it. For example, in 2003, a box truck hit the bridge. In 2005, a FedEx truck that was too tall and too heavy also caused damage. Even though some parts were broken, the bridge was still strong enough to stay open. The bridge has also been marked with graffiti by vandals. At one point, a deer was even found hanging from the bridge's rafters.
In 2014, experts checked the bridge and found that it needed a lot of work to be safe again. Some wooden boards were missing or loose, and the entire lower part of the bridge needed to be replaced. Officials also suggested putting a bar before the bridge to stop tall trucks from reaching it. They also thought about adding lights and security cameras to help stop vandalism.
Images for kids
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The inside of the Waterford Covered Bridge.
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A photo of the Waterford Covered Bridge from 1936.
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The south side of the Waterford Covered Bridge. Notice the blue pipe structure.
