Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge

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Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge
Map
Information
Length 98 feet (29.9 meters)
Truss Type single span, double Burr arch truss
Built 1846
Builder George Fink and Sam Reamsnyder

Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the oldest bridge in the county still in use.[1] A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Big Conestoga #2 Bridge. The bridge is also called Martin's Mill Bridge, Eberly's Cider Mill Covered Bridge, and Fiand's/Fiantz's Covered Bridge.

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] Added later, secondary steel I-beams support the bridge from underneath.[1] The bridge is painted red on the outside, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges. The inside of the bridge is not painted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. As of July of 2006, the bridge has some damage to its sides including some missing or broken panels.

The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-04[3]. In 1980 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003516[4]. It is located at 40°8′25.8″N, 76°9′7.2″W (40.1405, -76.1520)[5] near the junction of U.S. Route 222 and U.S. Route 322 southeast of Ephrata in West Earl Township. The bridge can be reached by going approximately 1.5 miles south from U.S. Route 322 on Cabin Drive which becomes Conestoga Creek Road. A left onto Cider Mill Road leads straight to the bridge, which is visible from the intersection.

Contents

[edit] History

The bridge was built in 1846 by George Fink and Sam Reamsnyder at a cost of $1115. They used a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss construction. At some point later, steel I-beams were installed under the floor to add support to the oldest bridge in Lancaster County. The bridge has historically been referred to by a number of names that reflected the various mill owners. [1]

[edit] Dimensions [2]

  • Length: 80 feet (24.38m) span and 98 feet (30 m) total length[3]
  • Width:13 feet 1 inch (3.98m) clear deck and 15 feet (4.6 m) total width[3].
  • Clearance: 11 feet 6 inches (3.51m)
  • Underclearance: 10 feet 9 inches (3.28m)

[edit] Gallery

One of the sides of the bridge

The other side of the bridge, showing damage

The inside showing the damaged side

The undamaged inside side

One of the approaches to the bridge

The other approach

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge. Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
  2. ^ a b Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge. Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (2001-10-20). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
  3. ^ a b c Dr. Roger A. McCain. Bitzer's Mill Bridge. A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas. Retrieved on 2006-08-03.
  4. ^ PENNSYLVANIA - Lancaster County. National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  5. ^ Travis, Dale. 38-36-04. Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved on 2006-08-07.