The Covered Bridges of Linn County
by Johannes Tan
SEVERAL REASONS HAVE been offered for the existence of covered bridges: e.g. providing shelter during inclement weather, or so that horses would not be afraid to cross the river. In fact, the real reason is simply to protect bridges from the elements. Without a roof, the supporting wooden timbers would decay and eventually collapse. By keeping them dry, covered bridges will last much longer. Typically, uncovered wooden bridges have a lifespan of only 20 years, while a covered bridge could last 100 years. Starting in the mid 19th-century, the development of cheaper wrought iron and cast iron led to the use of metal rather than timber trusses. Metal structures do not need protection from the elements, so bridges no longer needed to be covered. The covered wooden bridges also became obsolete because most are single-lane, have low width and height clearances, and cannot support the heavy demands of modern traffic. |
It's believed Oregon has more covered bridges than any other western state. A solid number is hard to enumerate due to (a) some dilapidated structures, (b) remote locations, and (c) mixed definitions on what technically constitutes a "covered bridge." Without getting too technical and finicky, it's fair to say that as of 2019, Oregon has between 54 to 56 covered bridges, depending on one's source. Most were built between 1905 and 1925. At its peak, 450 covered bridges were estimated in Oregon. By 1977 the number had dwindled to 56.
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Silent witnesses to the American culture and heritage, covered bridges are national treasures. Indeed the sole purpose of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges in Hillsboro, NH, is to preserve them.
In American pop-culture, covered bridges are enduring cultural icons. Starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Robert James Waller. It features the Cedar Covered Bridge in Madison County, Iowa — which was burnt by arson in 2002, replaced with a replica, then burnt by arson again in 2017.
Protecting and preserving covered bridges from the elements is one thing. Protecting them from vandalism is another matter... |