Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge

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This article about Eichelberger's Covered Bridge refers to the Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge. For the other bridge with the same name, see Buck Hill Farm Covered Bridge.
Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge
Map
Information
Length 143 feet (43.6 meters)
Truss Type single span, double Burr arch truss
Built 1878
Builder John Smith and Samuel Stauffer

Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge or Eichelberger's Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States in the United States[1]. A county-owned and maintained bridge, it's official designation is the West Octoraro #1 Bridge.[2] The bridge is purportedly the only covered bridge in the county that is not built perpendicular to the stream it crosses due to the placement of the sawmill one one side of the bridge and the rock formations faced by the builders on the other side[1].

The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks.[2] It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color.

The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-33. It is located at 39°53′49.2″N, 76°4′48″W (39.89700, -76.08000).[3] The bridge can be found in Bart Township, 3.25 mi (5.2 km) to the east of Quarryville and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) south of Pennsylvania Route 372 on Mt Pleasant Road[4]. Due to its remote location in an isolated part of the county, it is seen less than many of the county's other covered bridges that are closer to the major populations centers such as Lancaster[1].

Contents

[edit] History

The bridge was built in 1878 by John Smith and Samuel Stauffer[1] at a cost of $2,410. In 1985 it was destroyed in a flood and was rebuilt at a cost to the county of $75,000. During the rebuilding, the bridge was raised 3 feet (1 meter) to protect it against future flooding.[4] As of the summer of 2006, the bridge was in good conditions having undergone a recent rehabilitation in May of 2005.[5]

[edit] Dimensions [2]

  • Length: 139 feet (42.4 m) span and 143 feet (43.6 m) total length[1]
  • Width: 14 feet (4.3 m) clear deck and 15 feet (4.6 m) total width[1]
  • Overhead clearance: 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m)
  • Underclearance: 14 feet (4.3 m)

[edit] Gallery

A wide view of the bridge

Three quarters view

View of the inside of the bridge showing the Burr arch truss

A closeup of the Burr arch truss

A metal nameplate describing the 1985 rebuilding

Sign inside the bridge describing its history

The identification sign inside the center of the bridge

The underside of the bridge

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Dr. Roger A. McCain. Jackson's Mill Bridge. A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas. Retrieved on 2006-08-03.
  2. ^ a b c Eichelberger's Covered Bridge. Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (2001-10-20). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
  3. ^ Travis, Dale. 38-36-33. Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
  4. ^ a b Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge. Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
  5. ^ See Image:Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge History Sign 3008px.jpg
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