Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
Catawba County NC
In 1894 the Catawba County Commissioners ask the owners of the Bunker Hill Farm in Catawba County, NC if they would build a bridge to cross Lyle’s Creek near their farm. The creek was on the old Island Ford Road which was a former Native American Trail. The bridge was built in 1895 and is the only remaining example in wood of the Improved Lattice Truss that was patented by General Herman Haupt. Therefore it was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 2001. Also receiving this award in NC is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Dorton Arena.
The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is also one of only two remaining covered bridges in North Carolina, the other being Mt. Pisgah Covered Bridge in Randolph County , NC. Originally the Bunker Hill Bridge was constructed as an open span bridge and in 1900 was covered with wooden shingles. Then in1921 the 91 foot wooden shingle roof was replaced with a tin roof. In 1985 the Bolick Family donated the bridge to the Catawba County Historical Society. With the expertise of master bridgewright, Arnold M. Graton, from Ashland New Hampshire the bridge was restored. The bridge is open every day from sunrise to sunset. |
