Dreibelbis Station Bridge, Historic covered bridge in Berks County, Pennsylvania
The Dreibelbis Station Bridge is a wooden structure spanning Maiden Creek with a Burr arch design that distributes weight across multiple interlocking beams. It has an enclosed passage protected from the elements while allowing traffic to cross between the two townships.
Built in 1869, the bridge emerged during the height of covered bridge construction in Pennsylvania. Its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 confirmed its value as a surviving example of this construction method.
The bridge represents how covered structures became gathering points in rural communities. People recognized it as a landmark that connected their daily routes and marked the boundary between neighboring townships.
The bridge is accessible by road south of Lenhartsville and accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians crossing Maiden Creek. The covered design offers shelter from weather while you traverse the passage.
The Burr arch design uses overlapping wooden beams locked together with minimal nails or fasteners, creating a structure that grows stronger as weight presses down on it. This approach allowed builders to span longer distances without metal reinforcement.
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