Monday, September 9, 2024

1852 US-250 Philippi Covered Bridge over Tygart Valley River in Philippi, WV

(Archived Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite, 514 photos)

The Burr arch-truss spans in this 311' (95m) long bridge are 78' (24m) long. "It was the site of the first land battle of the Civil War on June 3, 1861, and was subsequently crossed by both Union and Confederate troops in various stages of the war." [BridgeHunter]
This is "one of two in the county that survived the war without being burned." [Tony Dillon comment on BridgeHunter]

Street View, Aug 2022
 
2007 photo taken by Tom Hall via BridgeHunter

Note the heavy metal bars across the road in case a trucker doesn't notice the 10'-3" sign.
Street View, Apr 2023

The B&O Depot close to the bridge is now a museum.
Street View, Aug 2022

Randall Hampton posted five photos with the comment:
Historic covered bridge at Philippi, the only double that I've ever seen.  The 8 original laminated wood arches are easy to see, but now they're only cosmetic.  To support modern truck traffic, two more support piers in the river were added, along with steel I-beams under the decking.  The stone pier is original.
A former B&O passenger station stands at the east end of the bridge.
Allen Malcomb: Doing the repair after the fire they found some old lead that was fire from muskets in the arches .
Randall Hampton: The bridge was used by both sides in the Civil War.
[Several comments mention a couple of mummies that are in the museum.]
2

3

4

5
Randall Hampton shared
John Voelker: I was on a training trip for the Chessie System Coal Department in 1983. We stopped at the Bridge in Philippi and the guy training me took my picture. I remember he told me that the first skirmish of the Civil War was fought there.

James Scott posted six photos in a COVERED BRIDGES Group with the comment:
Philippi covered bridge, located in the town of Philippi, Barbour County, West Virginia. The oldest and longest covered bridge in the state. Damaged by fire in 1989 and restored. Built in 1852, at 304 [93m] feet in length, over the Tygart River. The bridge is supported by a Burr Arch variation. 
The town and bridge was the site of the first land battle of the civil war. Photo takes 08/17/2024.
1

2

3

4

5

6

Terry Chafin provided four photos in comments on James' post.
1

2

3

4

John Kyle Valencourt posted seven photos with the comment:
The Philippi Covered Bridge is the oldest and longest covered bridge in West Virginia. This bridge was built in 1852 by Lemuel Chenoweth which crosses the Tygart Valley River and is made entirely of wood with the exception of the iron bolts used to hold the segments together. It was used by armies of the North and South during the Civil War. 
In 1934 the bridge was strengthened to permit modern traffic and is today a part of U.S. 250.
Address:
26416 US-250, Philippi, WV 26416📍 
Jess Hudnall: I'm shocked they didn't mention the fire in 1989 and the fact it took almost 3 years to rebuild it... I remember when I was in grade school one of my classmates dad was working on the rebuilding/repair of the bridge after the fire... He sent in a nail and a small piece of the wood from it for each of the students in our class....
John Kyle Valencourt: Jess Hudnall I did not know that. Thank you for sharing that information.
1

Digitally Zoomed
[After the 1989 fire, US-250 was moved to a bridge a little south of this one.]

2

3

4

5

6

7

WVDOT
"According to legend, Lemuel Chenoweth had convinced members of the Virginia Legislature to award him the contract to build the Tygart Valley River span by placing a wooden model of his masterpiece between two chairs and standing on it."
[This webpage has an interesting description about how the timber members were prepared for the restoration.]



No comments:

Post a Comment