Mull covered bridge (1851)

1515 County Road 9, Fremont, OH 43420

From a sign at the bridge: “There were more than 10,000 covered bridges built in the U.S. between 1805 and the early 20th century. Today less [sic] than 900 remain, mostly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Vermont. Covered bridges seem to evoke many different feelings, from nostalgia and romance, to scare ghost stories. There are also many different answers to the question, ‘Why were bridges covered?’

One explanation for covered bridges, was to give travelers shelter from bad weather, or to help keep horses from being frightened while crossing the water. The most popular story, though, has to do with protecting the bridge itself from the damaging effects of rain, ice, and snow. It would have been very expensive to have to replace the entire span every few years, but fairly easy to maintain and repair just the roof. Another twist to this story points to the fact that almost all covered bridges were built in the North, where icy bridges would have been very dangerous.

“The Mull Covered Bridge was built in 1851 using the ‘Town Truss’ design [named for Ithiel Town, who patented his lattice truss design in 1820]. Today it stands as a peaceful reminder of a quieter, simpler era of our history.”

From http://www.lovemyparks.com/parks/mull_covered_bridge » “In 1974 the Mull Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the last remaining covered bridges in Northwest Ohio.”

About the design: http://www.past-inc.org/historic-bridges/image-towntruss.html

1 year ago (“Easter cactus (I think)”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-03-27
2 years ago (“Bamboo (at a ‘node’)”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-03-27
3 years ago (“Golden lace cactus”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-03-27
4 years ago (“A solitary row”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-03-27
5 years ago (“CA 10118”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-03-27

[ IMG_9497S12x8Otm :: f/10 :: 1/250" :: ISO-200 :: 28mm ]

[Danette Thompson]

Super!

[Joanna kate]

So unusual to see this

[GaryW]

Nice shot...glad I read your comment. Always wondered why they were covered.