These Days, Covered Bridges Are Considered Greathistorical Pieces Or Architecture That Are Protectedand Preserved Under The United States Law. There Areat Least 200 Covered Bridges Across America. Most Ofthem, Especially The Ones Under The Management Andprotection Of The National Registry Of HistoricPlaces, Were Built In The Early Nineteenth Century.During That Time, There Was A Huge Movement Of Peoplefrom Coastal Cities Towards The Interior Of Thecountry Where There Were A Lot Of Creeks, Streams Andrivers. Towns And Villages Soon Rose Near Thesewaterways Since They Were The Practical Places Forthriving Communities. The Waterways Also Providedpower For Their Mills And A Ready Source Of Potablewater, Which Are Very Important For Growing Towns.As These Towns Grew On Both Sides Of The River, Therewas An Apparent Need For Bridges To Connect Thetownspeople Together And Provide Access To Importantinfrastructures Like Schools, Churches, And Hospices.Covered Bridges Then Became The Most Practicalsolution For Connecting Both Sides Of The River, Thuspaving The Way For Growth And Development.But Why Cover These Bridges? Was There A Need?Apparently Yes, And There Were Lots Of Proposedreasons Why Covered Bridges Became The Norm During Thetime. It Is Widely Said That Necessity Is The Motherof Innovation, And The Walls And Roofs Of Thesebridges Did Serve A Very Practical Purpose Far Fromthe Aesthetics That Most People Appreciate Nowadays.The First Reason For Covering These Bridges Were Tomake Them Appear Like Barns.In The Old Days, Crossing Horses And Farm Animals Onbridges Were More Dangerous Than It Would Seem.Stampedes Were Common When Horses And Livestock Wereforced To Cross Bridges And See The Running Waters Ofthe River. To Avoid This, Covering Bridges Made Iteasier For Farmers And Animals To Cross Rivers And Getto The Greener Grass On The Other Side.Another Reason For Building These Bridges Were To Keepsnow Off Them During Winter. Heavy Snow Fall Couldspell Disaster For Small Bridges With Weaker Support.Another Practical Reason For Making Covered Bridgeswas To Help Accommodate Travelers During Bad Weather.Old Covered Bridges Can Shelter A Small Group Stuck Intown Because Of A Storm. It Also Made It Easier Fortownspeople To Accommodate Strangers During Suchtimes.A Romantic Reason Proposed By An Old Poet Said Thecovered Bridges Also Made It Possible For Young Loversto Steal A Kiss From Each Other Without Getting Caught- Rather Unlikely But Ironically, Covered Bridgesnowadays Do Serve A Romantic Purpose Because It Hasbecome Quite Fashionable To Hold Wedding Ceremonies Onthem. But The Most Widely Popular Reason For Buildingcovered Bridges Is To Expand The Lifespan Of Thebridge Itself.Wood, Which Is Commonly Used For These Bridges, Caneasily Deteriorate If Exposed To Harsh Weatherconditions All Year Round - Heat In The Summer Andextreme Cold In The Winter. Covered Bridges Lastedthree Times Longer Than Ordinary Bridges Because Ofthe Protection The Roof And Walls Provided. Insulationwas Also Good For Wood And Covered Bridges Allowed Theinterior To Maintain A Uniform Temperature Providingshade From The Sun And Rain - Which Made The Bridgelast Longer And Practically Safer For People To Use.No Matter What The Reason, Covered Bridges Areconsidered By Many As Romantic, Historical Pieces Thatshould Be Preserved And Protected. They Are Part OfAmericas History And Protecting Them Should Be Apriority For Towns And Counties Where They Can Stillbe Found.
