Wertz's Covered Bridge

Wertz's Covered Bridge, also known as the Red Covered Bridge, is a historic wooden covered bridge located at Bern Township and Spring Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Wertz's Covered Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Northwest of Reading on Township 921, Bern Township and Spring Township, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	40°22′7″N 75°58′44″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1867
Built by	Amandas Kneer
Architectural style	Burr arch truss
MPS	Berks County Covered Bridges TR (AD)
NRHP reference No.	78002347[1]
Added to NRHP	November 17, 1978

The bridge is a 204-foot-long (62 m), Burr Truss bridge, constructed in 1867. It crosses the Tulpehocken Creek. It serves as the walkway entrance to the Berks County Heritage Center, which also includes the Gruber Wagon Works.[2] It is one of five covered bridges remaining in Berks County. It is the largest single-span covered bridge in Pennsylvania.[3]

The bridge was rehabilitated in 1959 from 10 April to 3 August, however, when the Warren Street Bypass opened the bridge was closed permanently on 23 October 1959. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 17 November 1978.[1] From June until December 1984 the bridge was restored. The siding was replaced, several floor boards were replaced, it was jacked up, realigned, tightened, camber restored, and the rotted arch ends were replaced along with cedar roof shingles.[4]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Note: This includes Richard N. Pawling (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Wertz's Covered Bridge" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-15.
3. Wertz's Covered Bridge
4. Wertz's Covered Bridge II

External links

• Berks County Heritage Center
• Berks County Covered Bridges