Photos of America's Marvels From the 19th Century: Covered Bridges

Having stood for ages for the main purpose of the aid in the passage for pedestrians, horses, and vehicles over rivers, streams, or any other obstacles, covered bridges are iconic structures of historic engineering and artful design. These splendid, sturdy bridges characterized by an almost complete or total enclosure of a roof and siding have not only become of practical use in America since the early 1800s but also have become popular as tourist spots and subjects of art, and that includes photos.

The covered bridges' aesthetic is a beautiful sight as it is. Paired with the lovely background of nature they're set among makes them truly picturesque, that a picture of a covered bridge would be wonderful to have displayed on a wall of your home or office or set as a background picture of a device you own like your personal computer.

If you have a fascination with these historical wonders, you can find some riveting pictures and interesting facts on them on this page.

The Ingenuity in the Construction of Covered Bridges

Not just any enclosed bridge, covered bridges possess specific characteristics that make them remarkably tough, resilient bridges that can last for up to 100 years or more despite that they're only made of wood. Such distinct characteristics of theirs make them distinguishable from other timber beam bridges of simpler composition.

A covered bridge has a framework of timber truss serving as strong support for the structure, which comes in a series of triangular figures. The use of a truss for support allows the construction of a bridge of much longer length. And providing protection from the harsh impacts of the elements to the bridge's deck and trusses are the roof and siding that covers the bridge.

It is a covered bridge's enclosure that makes it last as long as 100 years. That's about 5 times longer than the typical lifespan of an uncovered wooden bridge that is only 20 years.

Apart from prolonging the lifespan of timber truss bridges, the enclosure of covered bridges helps in keeping horses calm as they pass through a covered bridge, for they tend to be spooked by the water rushing underneath. In fact, the covered bridges' entrances had been designed in resemblance to those of barns for ease of entry for those traveling with horses.

Due to floods that eventually came and washed away covered bridges, covered bridges were later reinforced by combining iron with wood for their trusses. Then the rise of the advent of automobiles brought forth the use of steel for covered bridges. Covered bridges had also been improved with concrete footings for stronger support.

But the use of wood once again was the norm, came World War I when there was a shortage of steel.

Primarily, covered bridges were built for utility. Later on, they were also designed with an element of aesthetic.

The Relevance of the Covered Bridges in the 1800s

Covered bridges were introduced in America in the early 1800s, with the first covered bridge, namely Waterford Bridge built in the year 1804 in Connecticut that spanned New York's Hudson River. It held up for 105 years.

Prior to the existence of covered bridges, as a means of crossing rivers and streams, ferries served as transport for people, horses, and buggies but came with a fee. For a cost-free and more convenient travel, taxpayers pushed through with the construction of covered bridges. There was a toll that had to be paid for the project, but ultimately, it had offset costs.

In addition to the convenient and cost-free travel covered bridges provided for travelers, covered bridges had also been a place for holding town meetings, religious meetings, political rallies, drunken revels, dances, poker parties, and rainy-day luncheons. For sweethearts, covered bridges had become a place for rendezvous. Tramps had also taken advantage of covered bridges as a place to sleep at night.

Folklore on Covered Bridges

Upon the establishment of the covered bridges, they have gained folklore that is in relation to lovers and wishes.

Folklore had given covered bridges another name that is kissing bridges. That is because covered bridges had become a place for couples to stop and kiss, as they get a bit of privacy when they pass through.

Another folklore on covered bridges is that they can make your wish come true when you do a few simple steps upon entering one. The steps are as follows:

When you enter the bridge, you make your wish. Then you close your eyes, cross your fingers, and hold your breath until you reach the end of the bridge.

The Covered Bridges in America Then and Now

In America, there had been about 15,000 covered bridges built over the past two centuries. It was around the 19th Century when most of them had been built. However, most have deteriorated in time as they aged or had been replaced with steel bridges in the latter part of the 19th century.

Now, only less than 1,000 covered bridges still stand. Nevertheless, covered bridges have become an important part of America's heritage and are symbols of small-town America, that those still standing are being preserved. Many of them are actually listed on America's National Register of Historical Places.

As significant local landmarks with a rustic charm complemented by pleasing visuals of nature, covered bridges are admired by residents and tourists alike. They even attract thousands of tourists every year.

The Beauty of Covered Bridges Showcased in Various Art Forms

Covered bridges are such charming structures, that their beauty has been showcased in various art forms.

One notable example of an art form showcasing covered bridges is the popular film on covered bridges, The Bridges of Madison County. In the movie, historic covered bridges were highlighted as the focal point and main settings of the story. The movie is actually a film adaptation of a best-selling romance novel, and it had also been later adapted into a musical in 2013, which was Tony Award-winning.

Covered bridges have also become popular for artists as their subjects in painting. Through their strokes of paint on canvas, they skillfully depict the true beauty of a covered bridge among the scenic nature where it stands. Each artist may have a different point of view and may use different materials, but every covered bridge painting truly can be as sightly as the real thing.

In photography, covered bridges have become a favorite for photographers to capture as well. These rather photogenic structures are wonderful to take pictures of in any season, what with the ever-changing natural background that surrounds them that's equally appealing. At any time of the year, great shots can be taken of these covered bridges.

Covered bridges are valuable structures, that despite modernization, these structures of the 19th century that still exist at present remain relevant and beautiful to this day. As highly regarded structures, they are even flaunted in various art forms. If you seek magnificent pieces of art featuring covered bridges, boasts a lovely gallery where you can find stunning photos of covered bridges.