See a Roof that is 230 feet long

Up in the Sierras of California, there is a small town called Bridgeport.

It was established when the miners came looking for gold. It is said that “more money was made selling staples to the miners than the miners made finding gold.” This was also true when having to make your way cross-country, the fees to get to the gold claims cost a fortune. An example of this was in the 1860s when the Virginia Turnpike Company built a toll road to service the northern mines in this area and is the subject of the blog today. The Bridgeport Bridge crosses the South Fork of the Yuba River in Bridgeport. The span of the bridge is 210 feet from the foundation to the foundation and at present the longest wood-framed, clear span, covered bridge in the world.

Sugar pine shake sidewalls were designed by David Ingefield Wood and paid for by the Virginia Turnpike Company and replaced the old bridge in 1862 after the old bridge washed away in 1850. The overall length is about 230 feet of shingle covered bridge and you bet there was a charge for crossing here. What is interesting is the roof and sidewalls are covered to protect the timbers with sugar pine shakes. They are cut at 36 inches in length x 5 inches wide. There were 27.000 shakes were made, by a nearby mill to cover the roof and sides of this bridge. However many shakes it took, it is a great piece of history and preserved for us to enjoy.

This roof was recently redone to protect the Howe and Auxiliary Burr Arch Truss that work together to connect the two sides if the river without falling into it.  The Burr Arch Truss is supported by the two large footings, then the Howe Truss is connected to the Arch frameworks with steel rods and making a strong bridge over a long span. Then the shakes cover the roof and sides to protect the timbers.  Bridgeport bridge frameworks.

If you ever get up this way it is a great outing and you never know.... you may find gold.

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