Why are there covered bridges in New Hampshire?


Why are there covered bridges in New Hampshire? Made from available timber, such as spruce and white pine, the bridges were flexible and strong but decayed quickly when exposed to rain and snow. By the early 1800s, bridge builders began to protect their bridges with roofs and siding – making covered bridges.


What is the largest covered bridge in the United States?

Notes. - Significance: The Cornish-Windsor Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the U.S. and the second-longest two-span covered bridge in the world. It is an excellent example of the work of James Tasker and Bela Fletcher, two prolific New England bridge builders.


Why did they stop building covered bridges?

In the mid-1800s, the development of cheaper wrought iron and cast iron led to metal rather than timber trusses. Metal structures did not need protection from the elements, so they no longer needed to be covered.


Why are Amish bridges covered?

Today there are around 200 covered bridges, that remain in the state of Pennsylvania, and that includes 28 just in Lancaster County! While covered bridges are sometimes called “kissing bridges” the reason for the roofs is to protect the bridge's truss structure from all the weather conditions.


What is the most beautiful covered bridge in NH?

New Hampshire's Most Photogenic: Albany Covered Bridge It's no surprise to find New Hampshire's most picture-perfect covered bridge along New England's most scenic byway: the Kancamagus Highway.