 Beginning
in the 1760's, surplus commodities, such as maple sugar, whiskey, and grains,
were transported by the inhabitants of the area to city markets to sell
or trade for manufactured goods. The condition of the roads and bridges
was of critical importance in transporting these goods to market.
Fording unbridged streams was difficult and often dangerous. Simple
bridges were constructed to allow for easy passage, but they were easily
damaged from exposure to the weather. In the nineteenth century the
covered bridge evolved to protect the bridge floor and supporting structures
from the elements. This bridge originally crossed Coxes Creek four
miles south of the town of Somerset. Since major repairs to it occurred
around 1909, it is probable that the wooden Burr arches were added to the
original multiple kingpost truss system at that time. Extensive restoration
work done in 1986 has helped to preserve the bridge for future generations. |
