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Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania
(WGN
38-65-01) (WGCB PA-65-01) (1850) A single-span,
Burr arch truss 106' 4" over Sewickley Creek. Located: On
Bell's Mills Road (SR 3061), approximately 2 miles north of Wyano, Pennsylvania,
and 1 mile west of Milbell, Pennsylvania, between Sewickley and South Huntingdon
Townships. Directions: From I-70, take Exit 51B, (SR 31, West
toward West Newton, Pennsylvania). Go west on SR 31 for 0.4 mile
to Strickertown Road; turn right on Strickertown Road and go 0.85 mile
to Bell's Mills Road (SR 3061). Turn left on Bell's Mill Road
(SR 3061) and go 1.7 miles to the bridge. The only remaining covered
bridge in Westmoreland County. It has a different styling of the
portal support posts and gable ends which are reminiscent of the ancient
Greek and Roman styles of columns and pediments. The portals and
sides of the bridge are covered with horizontal clapboard siding, and is
painted barn red inside and out. It has a cedar shake roof and the
deck has rather wide runners that are laid over crosswise planking.
There are no side openings, only the lengthwise eave openings. The
structure rests on stone and mortar abutments that are reinforced with
concrete at both ground level and road level. It also has stone and
mortar wing walls that are protected with heavy wooden guardrails.
A large, heavy, arch steel type structure built outside of each portal
limits the overhead clearance to 6' 6". Also known as the Bell's
Mill Covered Bridge and the Bell's Mills Covered Bridge.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 1980.
(Oct 2005) |
