Freshly Rejuvenated Hillsgrove Covered Bridge
by Gene Walls
Title
Freshly Rejuvenated Hillsgrove Covered Bridge
Artist
Gene Walls
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The Hillsgrove Covered Bridge crosses Loyalsock Creek on Covered Bridge Road (off of Splash Dam Road) along PA Route 87, 26 miles north of Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA. This site is about five miles south of Forksvill, PA, and can be seen while driving by on RT-87. It is Sullivan County�s longest covered span, with a total length of 171 feet. This bridge was originally built in 1850 using the �Burr Arch� design. The Hillsgrove Covered Bridge was the very first Pennsylvania covered bridge that was ever officially listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. That proclamation was issued on July 2, 1973.
This bridge was very badly damage in September of 2011, when Tropical Storms Irene and Lee sent torrents of water and debris down through the Loyalsock Valley. Structural trusses were splintered by trees and other debris slamming into the structure. Most of the side boards were completely ripped away and several timbers were split by countless violent impacts. The bridge had to be closed to traffic immediately.
The Larson Design Group was awarded the contract to repair this severely damaged historical structure, by authority of the Sullivan County Commissioners. The bridge was reopened to traffic on Novermber 21st, 2012, with commissioner Wylie Morton snipping the ribbon in front of a gathering of delighted local residents and news reporters. This important span is back in service again, just in time for deer season �a critical factor to many of the people in this rural area.
© 2012 Gene Walls
Uploaded
May 21st, 2013
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Viewed 216 Times - Last Visitor from Mountain View, CA on 03/15/2024 at 12:15 PM
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Comments (7)
Michael Mazaika
Haven't visited this one yet but hope to in next spring. Great setting. Nice shot, Gene. - Mike (V)
Gene Walls replied:
Thanks, Michael! The really did a fantastic job of restoring this one. It was out of service for quite a while. I'm so glad it wasn't washed away when TS Lee hit here.
Jack Zulli
Don't have many of these beautys in WI...nicely composed, well done;) v
Gene Walls replied:
Thanks, Jack! We have quite a few covered bridges here in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, they are all treated like the treasures that they truly are. It was great to see this one perfectly restored. Kindest regards, Gene
Donna Kennedy
Gene it looks so beautiful! Fantastic shot and so glad this historic bridge has been restored! v/f
Gene Walls replied:
Thanks, Donna! The bridge was in shambles after the floods in 2011. It looks as good as new now and handles quite a bit of local traffic again. It was a real feat of engineering back in 1850 and is still a very important structure today. Kindest regards, Gene
Byron Snider
Great perspective, I believe this is the bridge that Penny Rinker showed me as they were working on it. Great work. fv
Gene Walls replied:
You are absolutely correct, Byron. Penny gets to enjoy this beautiful bridge every day, right from front porch. The community did a fantastic job of fully restoring this great covered bridge to its original condition. It is an important part of our area's rich history, and now it will be around for more generations to appreciate. Best regards, Gene