F
R
E
E
Serving Mifflin County and the surrounding area.
The Valley A free newspaper dedicated to agriculture, self-reliance, frugal living, and modern homesteading. Tomorrow’s Media - A Day Early Volume 7, No. 4
by Stephanie Bates The majority of the population today does not realize how important the wooden covered bridges were to the developing United States 150 years ago. During the nineteenth century at the height of covered bridge building, around 1870, there were well over 10,000 covered bridges in America. During those days, wood was abundant and inexpensive. The techniques used to build them were handed down through the generations. The bridges reflect a quiet time in our history when many people depended on the land as a way of life. The bridges were covered to protect the wood timbers from the elements as well as insects and falling branches. Keeping them dry meant the bridges would last much longer. Also, the bridges resembled a barn, which made it easier to coax cattle and horses to enter and kept them from being spooked by the running waters underneath. Folklore suggests the bridges were covered so courting lovers had a secret place to kiss without being seen, which is why they are also known as “kissing bridges.” Although they were really constructed for function versus romance, I think it is one reason why people everywhere have a sentimental attachment to covered bridges. For many, they bring back childhood memories
Complimentary
The Valley, April 2016
of carefree days when the bridge made a wonderful place to play and cool down from the hot summer sun amid its shade. Of the all the thousands of covered bridges built by our early-American ancestors, only a fraction of them remain today. The number was reduced to under
1,500 by the 1950’s. There are about 200 of them currently in Pennsylvania – the most of any state. Pennsylvania’s covered bridges are scenic gems, each built with a specific purpose, and each adding charm and romance to the countryside. The Dimmsville Bridge in
Greenwood Township, Juniata County spans the quiet Cocolamus Creek. Built in 1902, it’s tucked away on a country road which has been abandoned and unnecessary for the convenience of the traveling public. The bridge was bypassed a short distance upstream in 1960 and in
Volunteers on the Dimmsville Bridge Preservation Project are in dire need of help to save what remains of the bridge before it falls into the creek which is the first step toward restoration. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Bates
Veritas vos Liberabit
1979 it was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Over time it has been neglected and forgotten, the bridge leans dramatically to the left as the flood damaged abutments fail at both ends. Once, this old covered bridge saw its fair share of traffic as it allowed travelers a safe passage across the creek between the general store and the grist mill in the heart of Dimmsville. The Dimmsville Bridge Preservation Project is a grassroots, non-profit, organization that started February 9, 2016 by a small group of Greenwood Township residents, joined by history lovers and covered bridge preservation activists from around the Susquehanna Valley and beyond. This dedicated group is desperately advocating to save their beloved bridge. The Project is creating public awareness to those in the community who lack an understanding of its architectural beauty, and reaching out to those who lack affection and love for this irreplaceable piece of history. Through education, perhaps one will gain a new understanding of its importance and instill a desire to appreciate and preserve the Dimmsville Bridge, one of only four remaining covered bridges in Juniata County. You can find the Dimmsville Bridge Preservation
Continued on page 14