Two Covered Bridges Located in Missouri

On our return trip home from Marseline we searched out two covered bridges which we had yet to see (in the past we visited 4 out of the total of six which can be found in Missouri).  The first one we visited on this trip was the Locust Covered Bridge, located midway between Laclede and Meadville.  Built in 1868, it is the longest bridge in Missouri at 151 feet long.  The river once flowing under it now is located a distance away and the bridge is spanning a dry creek bed.

                                                  
The next bridge is located 8 miles southwest of Paris, Missouri.  Part of our fun searching out these covered bridges was driving over many country back roads.  We certainly saw many farm fields and cattle!   This covered bridge is called the Union Covered Bridge, built in 1871 and named after a local church.  The interpretive sign noted that it has survived a "flood, fire and neglect".  Seems to me it has done fairly well, considering that it carried traffic until 1970 when an overloaded truck broke one of its supporting beams.  After that the bridge was only open to pedestrian traffic.  It needed reconstruction in 1967 and 1987.  This one has a stream flowing under it.

                                                     

A unique feature of this bridge is that it has a doubled Burr arch truss.  Its siding is also unusual in that it is horizontal and not vertical as most bridges.  This information probably would only excite architectural buffs only for sure!.  But if you are curious as to what I am talking about, look closely at the picture below.

                                    

Interpretive signs at this bridge provided plenty of information regarding Missouri's bridges, as well as covered bridges in general.  An explanation was given why covered bridges were even needed: that the barn like structure helped farm animals about to cross over the bridge, that the roofed structure provided shelter during inclement weather, and covering the bridge added strength to it.  And, on a more humorous note, "bridges were covered for the same reason women wear petticoats- to protect their underpinnings".   Just in general, back in our history when bridges were a necessary part of our transportation system, the covered bridge lasted longer and proved to be stronger than those uncovered.  I am very happy that Missouri considers it important to preserve this piece of our history!