White Rock Forge Covered Bridge
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°49′29″N 76°05′24″W / 39.8247°N 76.0900°W |
| Locale | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Official name | West Octoraro #2 Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | single span, double Burr arch truss |
| Total length | 103 feet (31.4 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | John Russell and Elias McMellen |
| Construction start | 1847 |
| Rebuilt | 1884 |
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge | |
| MPS | Covered Bridges of Lancaster County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003522[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1980 |
| Location | |
Interactive map of White Rock Forge Covered Bridge | |
The White Rock Forge Covered Bridge or White Rock Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek in southeast Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the West Octoraro #2 Bridge.[2] It was first constructed in 1847 by John Russell and Elias McMellen, but the original was destroyed by flooding, it is 103 feet long, and it was last rebuilt in 1884. The wooden burr bridge crosses the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek. It is 103 feet long and 13 feet wide.
The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks.[2] It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color.
The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-18. Added in 1980, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003522.[3] It is located at 39°49′28.8″N 76°5′24″W / 39.824667°N 76.09000°W (39.82467, -76.09000).[4][5]
Dimensions
- Length: 103 feet (31.4 m) span and 110 feet (33.5 m) total length
- Width: 13 feet (4.0 m) clear deck and 15 feet (4.6 m) total width
- Overhead clearance: 12 feet (3.7 m)
- Underclearance: 13 feet (4.0 m)
Gallery
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White Rock Forge covered bridge
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Side view of the bridge
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Window in the side of the bridge
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Side view of the bridge showing its underside
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One of the approaches to the bridge
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The other approach
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The inside of the bridge showing the Burr arch truss design
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Closeup of the Burr arch truss
See also
References
- McCain, Dr. Roger A. "White Rock Bridge". A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas. Retrieved August 4, 2006.
- "White Rock Forge Covered Bridge". Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2006.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "White Rock Forge Covered Bridge". Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. October 20, 2001. Retrieved July 7, 2006.
- ^ "PENNSYLVANIA - Lancaster County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ Travis, Dale. "38-36-18". Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved August 8, 2006.
- ^ Susan M. Zacher (1980). National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pennsylvania MPS White Rock Forge Covered Bridge. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved December 23, 2025. (Downloading may be slow.)