Covered-Bridges

This is a view down the length of the Cogan House (sometimes known as Buckhorn) Covered Bridge which runs 190 feet across Larry’s Creek near the town of Trout Run. It was built in 1877 and utilizes a Burr Arch design. The bridge is open to vehicular traffic although the road at the far end of the bridge dead end’s at a farmer’s private road and gate. There is a spot to park there and you can easily turn around for the trip back over the bridge. I had a short chat with the farmer who owns the land beyond the dead end and he has a keen sense of Covered Bridge history and was well aware of how important they are to Lycoming County history. It’s nice to run into someone like that every now and then.

I shot this as seven bracketed RAW frames at .7 stop increments and then combined them into an HDR with Photomatix Pro and finally, tone mapped that image before taking it into Photoshop CS4 and applying the “Muted Brown Edges” filter from onOne Software’s Photo Tools and then erasing the red sections of the bridge from the top layer, revealing the true color of the bridge.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

I spent a vacation day shooting in and around the Gettysburg battlefield area on Thursday.  Late in the afternoon as we approached the golden hour sun, I knew I had to get over to the Saucks Covered Bridge and see if I could snag a good reflection shot. I had totally forgot about the big evergreens on the opposite shore line. I was worried that I would have a backdrop of leafless trees but was pleasantly surprised to see that the evergreens were not going to disappoint me.

A bronze plaque located near the bridge states: “In 1938, the Pennsylvania Highway Department determined that the Sachs Bridge was the most historic covered bridge in the state”. It makes those claims for good reason. The bridge was used for the movement of both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War battle at nearby Gettysburg in 1863. The bridge, which has also been known as “Sachs Bridge”, was built in 1854 by David Spooner and runs 100 feet across the Marsh Creek in Cumberland Township, PA. In 1996 the bridge was lifted off its foundation and carried a short distance downstream. Repairs were made on the bridge in 1997. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1968 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is said to be a hot spot for ghost hunters seeking contact with the souls of three people who were allegedly hanged at one end of the bridge.

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, who owns the bridge, really has done a remarkable job at landscaping and upkeep in the bridge area.

I shot this as seven bracketed RAW frames at 1/3rd stop increments and then combined them into an HDR with Photomatix Pro and finally, tone mapped that image.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This is the only covered bridge currently standing in Bradford County Pennsylvania. It is also the highest of the state’s bridges. Built in 1853, the bridge stands on Township Route 554 (aka covered bridge road), several miles off of route 6 near the village of Luther Mills. It spans Brown’s Creek for a length of 95 feet and utilizes the Burr-Arch design. The bridge was recently renovated and is open to daily vehicular traffic though in the hour I was there, I didn’t see another car cross it. There is parking on a hillside just past the bridge and there are several great angles to photograph the bridge from. This bridge is a must-see bridge if ever there was one.

I shot this as seven bracketed RAW frames at .7 stop variance and then combined them into an HDR and toned mapped them with Photomatix Pro.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This Bedford County covered bridge was built in 1902 and utilizes a Kingpost truss design to run 138 feet over the Juniata River in Harrison Township just off of the intersections of state routes 4005 and 4007. It is one of the few Bedford county bridges painted the traditional red color. It is open to daily vehicular traffic and is in excellent condition. The bridge is owned and maintained by the State of Pennsylvania. The bridge has also been known as the “Kinton Covered Bridge”.

I shot this as seven bracketed RAW frames at 1/3rd stop variance and then combined them into an HDR and toned mapped them with Photomatix Pro before applying the “brown with muted edges” filter from PhotoTools Pro to a separate layer in order to give it an antique feel. The I erased the parts of that layer which consisted of the wooded parts of the bridge, revealing the color of the bridge. This is where that Wacom tablet and pen device I bought late last year really comes in handy.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

The Pool Forge Covered Bridge resides within the historic Pool Forge park in Caenarvon Township, a rural area within Lancaster County’s famous Amish countryside. Built by Levi Fink and Elias McMellen in 1859 at the cost of $1219, it spans the Conestoga Creek for 99 feet. It was also known as Yohn’s Mill Bridge. It’s design utilizes a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss with the addition of steel hanger rods. It is painted entirely red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges on the outside. The inside of the bridge is not painted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in red without any of the traditional white paint.

Historical records indicate that this was the place where James Buchanan met his fiance before becoming president, but she died before they could be married and he became our country’s only bachelor president.

For more information on historic Pool Forge, visit their web site.

Shot as seven bracketed Raw frames with 1/3 stop variance and then combined them into an HDR and tone mapped the image with Photomatix Pro.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This very photogenic bridge was built in 1867 and spans the Dunnings Creek at a length of 80 feet and features a single span, Burr-Arch truss design. The bridge is located in a picturesque setting on privately owned land. The owners obviously have taken great care to make this a must see destination on the Bedford Covered Bridge tour. The bridge is not open to vehicular traffic though it does have a small pull off area next to the road for parking. The location of the bridge is just off State Route 56 on Dunnings Creek Road in West St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania. The WGCB number for this bridge is 38-05-16. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places as Structure #80003411.

I shot this on Saturday 8-15-2009 as seven hand-held bracketed Raw frames and then combined them into an HDR and tone mapped the image with Photomatix Pro.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This Shenandoah County Virginia bridge is named for the Meem family that owned the Strathmore estate west of the Shenandoah River. The bridge runs 204 feet over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and utilizes a Burr-Arch design. The original bridge was built in 1892-1893 and was torched by vandals on Halloween of 1976. After salvaging the original timbers, the bridge was reconstructed and eventually undergirded with steel beams and concrete piers. This is the third covered bridge on this spot. Records show the first bridge was burned in 1862 as Stonewall Jackson went up the valley ahead of Union General John C. Fremont, prior to the battles of Harrisonburg, Cross Keys and Port Republic. Another was washed away in a flood in 1870. The bridge is in outstanding shape and open to regular vehicular traffic. You can access the bridge from state route 11 and there is a small pull off with picnic tables available. The Strathmore House Bed and Breakfast is within walking distance of the bridge.

I shot this as nine bracketed RAW frames then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro with some extra work done in Topaz Adjust to bring out the wood tones.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

The Humpback Covered Bridge was built in 1857 and is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the country that was built significantly higher in the center section to allow safe passage of both boats and winter ice below it. It’s the oldest remaining covered bridge in the state of Virginia. It crosses the Dunlap Creek for a distance of 109 feet. The bridge is four feet higher in the center than at the ends. The bridge sits in a beautiful park setting just about a mile from a major highway in Covington, Virginia. The bridge is not open to traffic. Unfortunately, graffiti idiots have taken their toll on the inside of the bridge, but the outside remains in remarkable shape.

This is actually the fourth covered bridge to be located at this same location. The first was built into the 1820s and was destroyed by a flood in 1837. The second one was built in 1838 and was also destroyed by a flood in 1842. The third bridge fell collapsed in 1856 due to heavy use and fatigue from weathering. The current Humpback bridge was in service from 1857 through 1929 when traffic was diverted to a steel bridge built for U.S. Highway 60 further to the north. The WGCB # for the bridge is 46-03-01.

I shot this as seven exposure bracketed RAW frames at 1/3 stop variance, then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro with Topaz Adjust applied to bring out some of the wood tones on the bridge.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

I made my fourth covered bridge trip up to Columbia County on Sunday 10-11-2009, this time hoping for a good amount of Fall foliage around the six bridges that I was targeting. It was sort of odd in that I didn’t find much Fall color changes directly around any of the bridges I stopped at but I did see a fantastic array of colors on the way up PA route 61 especially through the Centralia area and also on some of the single lane back roads that my GPS was favoring. There were bridge sightseers by the dozens today. The twin bridges of East and West Paden seemed especially busy. I have to hand it to Columbia County and those that work to preserve these bridges. They do a wonderful job of making each and every bridge a place that you want to take friends and family to go visit again and again.

The beautiful bridge above is the Kramer Covered Bridge which spans Mud Run in Columbia County Pennsylvania just outside of the town of Rohrsburg on Turkey Path Road. Built in 1881 by C.W. Eves, it has a Queen Post design design and is 50 feet in length. It was completely refurbished in 2007-2008 by Columbia County, who owns and maintains the bridge. There were several great angles you could shoot this particular bridge from including a little peninsula that the creek meanders around on the opposite side of the bridge. The WGCB # is 38-19-23.

There is an excellent covered bridge tour map in the form of a printable PDF offering two loops that cover all 25 covered bridges in Columbia and Montour countiess available here.

I shot this as nine bracketed RAW frames then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro with some extra work done in Topaz Adjust.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This is the underside of the Manassas Guth Bridge which crosses 108 feet over the Jordan creek in Lehigh County Pennsylvania. It is one of several covered bridges that span that creek and one of two located in “Covered Bridge Park”. The bridge was built in 1868 and is currently open to vehicular traffic.

I took this on 9-15-2009, shot as seven bracketed RAW frames then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro with some extra work done in Topaz Adjust.

I know the hotshoe bubble level I had on the camera indicated that the camera was completely level when I shot this so my only assumption is that the bridge is somewhat crooked, at least on the underside.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

he Pool Forge Covered Bridge resides within the historic Pool Forge park in Caenarvon Township, a rural area within Lancaster County’s famous Amish countryside. Built by Levi Fink and Elias McMellen in 1859 at the cost of $1219, it spans the Conestoga Creek for 99 feet. It was also known as Yohn’s Mill Bridge. It’s design utilizes a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss with the addition of steel hanger rods. It is painted entirely red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges on the outside. The inside of the bridge is not painted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in red without any of the traditional white paint.

Historical records indicate that this was the place where James Buchanan met his fiance before becoming president, but she died before they could be married and he became our country’s only bachelor president.

For more information on historic Pool Forge, visit their web site.

This was shot as seven bracketed RAW frames then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro with some extra work done in Topaz Adjust to bring out the wood and stone texture.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

This bridge was originally located over the Mud Creek but was moved to a private farm residence and today, runs across the farmer’s pond in Latimore Township. The bridge is 79 feet long and is in excellent shape but closed to traffic and appears to be used for boat storage presently. The WGCB# for this bridge is 38-01-05.

I shot this back on 8-30-2009 as seven bracketed RAW frames and then combined them into an HDR and tone mapped the image with Photomatix Pro before doing some final tweaks with the Topaz Adjust plugin to bring out some of the wood grain and stone texture.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos

The Wehr’s Covered Bridge is located in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania. It utilizes a Burr-arch truss design and spans 137 feet over the Jordan Creek. It was built in 1841 and restored in 1965. It’s open to daily traffic and is nestled along “Covered Bridge Park” making this a nice picnic location for Lehigh County families. The WGCB # for this bridge is # 38-39-02.

This was shot as seven bracketed RAW frames using the new Singh-Ray vari-N-Duo filter (thin mount) then combined into an HDR and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro. The filter allowed some longer exposures making some nice effects in the water.

Tagged as: Covered-Bridges, HDR, Photos