Erskine Covered Bridge Traditional Cache
Keystone: As the owner has not responded to my prior note, I am archiving this listing.
Keystone
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Near West Alexander, PA along Middle Wheeling Creek.
Erskine Covered Bridge
The recently restored Erskine Covered bridge, located approximately 1/10 of a mile from the West Virginia/Pennsylvania border, is the westernmost covered bridge in the state of Pennsylvania. Though it was built in 1845 by William Gordon, the 39 foot 6 inch long queen-post structure was named for the Erskine family who owned the surrounding acreage.
The Erskine family originated in Ireland, and some of the clan began to immigrate to Pennsylvania in the 1780’s. Robert Crumley Erskine was the son of William Erskine born May 24, 1770, in County Down, Ireland who came to this country in 1792, settled in Washington, Pa. and married Miss Isabelle Sillik, August 19, 1800. Robert, one of eight children, was born in Washington, Pa., June 21,
1806. He married Miss Nancy Brownlee, February 29, 1844. Together they had for children, and resided here, along Middle Wheeling creek. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church of West Alexander.
In 1872 Robert, the family patriarch, passed away and the family was left with a large debt. They negotiated a lease of land near the bridge with a local coal company to raise needed funds. Fortunately, the bridge escaped destruction during the strip mining operations.
Spanning the upper portion of Middle Wheeling Creek, the bridge has also endured its share of floods, including a severe flood, early on, in 1888. Enduring many seasons of rising and falling waters throughout its 163 years, it remains as the oldest surviving covered bridge in the Washington County.
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