Erb's Covered Bridge

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Erb's Covered Bridge
Map
Information
Length 80 feet (24.4 meters)
Truss Type single span, double Burr arch truss
Built 1849
Builder Unknown

Erb's Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans Hammer Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States[1]. A county-owned and maintained bridge, it's official designation is the Hammer Creek #1 Bridge.[2]

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 38-36-34[3]. In 1980 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003536[4]. It is located at 40°10′2.4″N, 76°14′38.4″W (40.16733, -76.24400).[5] The bridge can be found on Erb's Bridge Road north of Picnic Woods Road approximately 1 mile north of Pennsylvania route 772 and Rothsville, Pennsylvania.

Contents

[edit] History

The bridge was originally built in 1849 for a cost of $700. It was built on the Erb family's tract of land in the farming region along Hammer Creek[3]. In 1887 the bridge was rebuilt by John G. Bowman for $1744.[6]

[edit] Dimensions [2]

  • Length: 70 feet (21.3 m) span and 80 feet (24.4 m) total length[3]
  • Width: 13 feet 1 inch (4 m) clear deck and 15 feet (4.6 m) total width[3]
  • Overhead clearance: 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m)[1]
  • Underclearance: 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m)

[edit] Gallery

View of the bridge from upstream

Wide three quarters view

The field next to the bridge

View of the bridge from down the road

Three quarters view

One of the approaches to the bridge

The other approach to the bridge

An inside view of the Burr arch truss

A closeup of the Burr Arch

Inside view of the ceiling

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Bickel, Hank (2005-23-06). Erbs Bridge. Covered Bridges of the Northeast USA. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  2. ^ a b c Erb's Covered Bridge. Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (2001-10-20). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
  3. ^ a b c d Dr. Roger A. McCain. Erb's 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. 38-36-34. Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
  6. ^ Erb's Covered Bridge. Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-07.