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Bedford
County, Pennsylvania
(WGN
38-05-24) (WGCB PA-05-24) (1880; restored 1998)
A single-span multiple Kingpost truss 70' 7" over Shawnee Creek.
Located: On Mill Street extension (TR 443) approximately 1 mile southwest
of Schellsburg, Napier Township, Pennsylvania. Directions: In Schellsburg,
Pennsylvania at the jct. of US 30 (Pitt Street) and Mill Street exit, go
south on Mill Street Extension (TR 443) for 0.8 mile to the bridge.
Still in use for vehicular traffic. The structure got one of its
names from a Dr. Shiller who owned the bridge at one time. The bridge’s
truss system is classified as a multiple Kingpost truss in all accounts
except the statewide covered bridge assessment, which lists it as a rare
truss type. It is quite unusual compared to most multiple Kingpost
type truss structures found throughout the state. Except for the
center most vertical timber of the truss, all of the other “verticals”
actually lean toward the end approximately fifteen to twenty degrees off
vertical. In addition, the diagonal timbers reach only halfway up
the verticals. Finally, where the diagonal timbers meet the vertical
timbers, there are horizontal beams extending the length of the exterior
and exterior sides. The siding consists of red, vertical boards on
both the portals and the sides. The sides are covered on only the
lower one-third of the outside and inside. The roof is sheet metal and
the deck has runners laid over crosswise planking. In 1998 the bridge
was completely restored including the abutments and wingwalls being rebuilt
using poured concrete. Also known as the Calvin Covered Bridge
and the Shiller Covered Bridge. (Apr 2005) |
