Van Metre Ford Bridge Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Doctor Teeth: Greetings.

This cache has been temporarily disabled for some time now without any action taken on your part to address the issues with the cache. The cache is being archived at this time, so please return to this location and remove what is left of your cache.

Should you resolve cache issues and wish it re-posted, contact me through my profile. Please include GC Code (GCxxxxx) and cache name in all correspondence. Please keep in mind archived caches go through the review process once more and current guidelines apply.

Sincerely,

Doctor Teeth
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer

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Hidden : 5/5/2004
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Across Opequon Creek on County Route 36, East of Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., West Virginia lies a magnetic hide-a-key container. Inside is a stash note explaining geocaching, a few log sheets and nothing else.

This three-span, stone-arch bridge was built in 1832 by Silas Harry under contract with the Berkeley County Court. It was constructed in order to eliminate the fording of Opequon Creek when traveling on the Warm Springs Road.The bridge is 165 feet long and is built of uncoursed ashlar limestone masonry. Each of the three segmental arches, delineated with smooth-surfaced, but irregular width, voussoirs, springs from low, round-ended piers that have cone-shaped buttresses carried into the solid masonry spandrels. The center arch spans 32 feet while each of the end arches spans 29.6 feet.Parapet walls appear to have had cement capping added at some later time. Low pylons, also capped with cement, termite the parapet walls at the approaches to the bridge. In plan, the structure is wider at the ends (22 feet) then at the center (16 feet). The stone work in the piers and buttresses as well as in the voussoirs is especially precise. Mortar erosion over the years has revealed closely fit joints.The only changes to the bridge have been resurfacing of the road and repair to the walls above the road line where automobile accidents have caused destruction. Although worn, the stonework has held up superbly to the stresses of load and forces of the elements.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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