At one point, Pennsylvania had at least 1,500 covered bridges, and today over 200 have stood the test of time. More covered bridges exist in Pennsylvania than in any other state - giving it the designation as 'Covered Bridge Capital of the World.'
A reminder of a young nation carved out of the wilderness, covered bridges are charming, yet practical. Timothy Palmer built the first American covered bridge over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia in 1800. The investors asked to have it covered in the hopes of extending the life of the bridge, and Palmer reluctantly agreed. The value of the covered bridge design was quickly recognized, as it greatly extended the life of the wooden bridges by protecting the side supporting timbers (not necessarily the floorboards) from exposure to the weather, thus lowering maintenance costs. As a result, many of these wonderful wooden structures have survived for over a century. Many of the covered bridges still standing are over 150 years old.
While covering the bridges was a practical way to protect them from snow and rain, it also had a downside. During pre-automobile days, when sleds were the primary method of winter transportation, snow actually had to be shoveled back onto the bridges to provide a snowy surface for the sled runners.
When visiting bring your sweetheart and discover why these timeless treasures were also known as "kissing bridges."
DURING PRE-AUTOMOBILE DAYS, WHEN HORSE DRAWN SLEDS WERE THE PRIMARY METHOD OF WINTER TRANSPORTATION, WHAT HAD TO BE PUT BACK ONTO THE COVERED BRIDGES TO PROVIDE A SURFACE FOR THE SLED RUNNERS ??????
SNOW = N 40 46.911 W 078 55.328
WATER = N 40 47.675 W 078 55.730
CONGRATULATIONS TO schmuck&puttz FOR THE FTF