Pool Forge Covered Bridge

The Pool Forge Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. The bridge is now on private property where it was once used as a storage barn before the owner added a road to receive vehicle traffic.

Pool Forge Covered Bridge
Coordinates	40.1297°N 75.9768°W / 40.1297; -75.9768
Locale	Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
Characteristics
Design	single span, double Burr arch truss
Total length	99 feet (30.2 m)
History
Constructed by	Levi Fink and Elias McMellen
Construction start	1859
Location of the bridge in Lancaster County Location of Lancaster County in Pennsylvania

The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. It is painted entirely red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges on the outside. The inside of the bridge is not painted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in red without any of the traditional white paint.

The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-01. Added in 1980, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003510.[1] It is located at 40°7′46.8″N 75°58′36.6″W (40.12967, -75.97683).[2]

It is included in the Poole Forge historic district as a contributing structure.[3]

History

The bridge was built in 1859 by Levi Fink and Elias McMellen.

Dimensions

• Length: 99 feet (30.2 m) total length
• Width: 15 feet (4.6 m) total width

Gallery

• 
  A three-quarters view of the bridge
• 
  Another three-quarters view showing the same bridge approach.
• 
  One of the sides of the bridge
• 
  The other side of the bridge
• 
  The approach to the bridge closest to the main road
• 
  The approach farthest away from the main road entrance
• 
  The Burr arch truss design on the inside of the bridge
• 
  A closer look at the Burr arch truss
• 
  An example of the bridge's steel hanger rods
• 
  The bridge's underside structure
• 
  The underside of the bridge showing where the Burr arch meets the concrete bridge abutment. The concrete bridge in the background bypasses this bridge.
• 
  An underside bridge joint showing the Burr arch truss design.

See also

• Burr arch truss
• List of crossings of the Conestoga River
• List of Lancaster County covered bridges

References

1. "PENNSYLVANIA - Lancaster County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
2. Travis, Dale. "38-36-12". Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved 2006-08-08.
3. "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Note: This includes Joan Fleckenstein (November 1992). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Poole Forge" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-18.

Further reading

• McCain, Dr. Roger A. "Pool Forge Bridge". A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas. Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-08-04.
• "Pool Forge Covered Bridge". Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
• "The Covered Bridges of Lancaster County". Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 2001-11-09. Archived from the original on 2005-12-26. Retrieved 2006-07-07.