Switzer Covered Bridge

The Switzer Covered Bridge, located off Rocky Branch Rd., over North Elkhorn Creek, in or near Switzer, Kentucky, was built around 1855. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]

Switzer Covered Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Off Rocky Branch Rd., over North Elkhorn Creek, Switzer, Kentucky
Coordinates	38°15′14″N 84°45′08″W
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	c.1855
Built by	Hockensmith, George
NRHP reference No.	74000875[1]
Added to NRHP	September 6, 1974

It is 60 feet (18 m) long and 11 feet (3.4 m) wide. It was built by George Hockensmith.[2]

The bridge was threatened with destruction in 1953, but was saved. Instead of destroying and replacing this bridge, the State Highways Department installed a new bridge adjacent to it. The bridge was closed to automotive traffic in 1954.[2]

The correct length of the Switzer Bridge is 120' not 60' It is a single span Howe truss. The statement that it was saved from destruction is correct, but it should be stated that it was through the efforts of local magistrate Harrold Cunningham (Harrold is the correct spelling of his name). Cunningham correctly ascertained that the bridge belonged to the county not the state and that they had no authority to demolish it. Construction was completed in late summer, 1953 and the bridge was closed to traffic at that time, not 1954. The concrete bridge built to replace it was named for Cunningham. Robert W. M. Laughlin

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
2. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Switzer Covered Bridge". National Park Service. Retrieved September 12, 2018. With accompanying two photos, from c.1954 and 1971