| "TFCSOTSPBWL OCTOBER XVIII MDCCC." This | | | | bridges also enabled them to be used for scores of |
| curious inscription was carved by a stonemason, John | | | | purposes, other than getting to the other side of a |
| Lewis, into a block of granite that he had lain as a | | | | stream. They were used for campaign rallies, religious |
| support for a bridge that was being built by Timothy | | | | services, family reunions, meetings, weddings, |
| Palmer. Because of space restrictions, he simply used | | | | debates, shelter from a storm, fishing and diving |
| initials, instead of writing, "The first corner stone of | | | | platforms, and even hanging clothes to dry during |
| the Schuylkill Permanent Bridge was lain on October | | | | inclement weather. Favorite places for couples to |
| 18, 1800." When the bridge was nearly finished, in | | | | steal a few kisses, covered bridges were commonly |
| 1804, a Philadelphia judge, Richard Peters, suggested | | | | called "kissing bridges." They were also sometimes |
| that, in order to preserve its trusses and extend its | | | | referred to as "wishing bridges" because it was |
| life, the bridge should be covered. The cover was | | | | believed that any wish a person made while passing |
| designed and built, and the first covered bridge | | | | through one would come true.The most powerful |
| opened for travel on January 1, 1805.Judge Peters | | | | effects of the decision to cover that first bridge, |
| had no way of knowing what he was starting. His | | | | however, are intangible. Even for those who know |
| simple idea for covering that bridge led to a wellspring | | | | none of the specific details of their history, covered |
| of folklore, legend, myth, and mystique, that would | | | | bridges evoke nostalgia and stir strong emotions, |
| turn the reasoning behind it as murky as the waters | | | | while their gradual disappearance from the country's |
| surrounding its original cornerstone, which, it is | | | | landscape incites a growing passion to preserve them |
| believed, still supports what is now known as the | | | | as precious, irreplaceable landmarks.Although it's true |
| Market Street Bridge.The speculations were | | | | that the covered bridges that were built and used by |
| numerous and humorous. Some people thought that | | | | our ancestors are decreasing in number every year, a |
| covered bridges were intended to look like barns, to | | | | new era in covered bridges is just dawning, at The |
| make animals feel more comfortable while crossing | | | | best part is that these new bridges, which are |
| them. Others maintained that the covers were there | | | | designed for your own creek, stream, or walkway, |
| to keep horses from being frightened by the rushing | | | | have all of the charm of their predecessors, but, |
| water beneath them. It was also said that covered | | | | constructed from your choice of treated pine or |
| bridges were designed to keep travelers from seeing | | | | Dura-Temp siding, many times the durability.At |
| what kind of town they were approaching, until it | | | | CedarStore.com, you can customize your own |
| was too late to turn back. Although many people said | | | | gorgeous covered garden bridge in three simple |
| that the coverings were meant to keep snow off | | | | steps, choosing from a variety of sizes, styles, |
| the bridges, old toll signs that designate fares for | | | | materials, and accessories. Visit today, and begin your |
| horse-drawn sleighs contradict that notion.Covering | | | | own tradition of swimmin', fishin', whistlin', and kissin'. |