I'd like to know who propagated the myth that it doesn't snow in western
Oregon. It may not snow as frequently or as much in inches as the
northeastern states, but when it does, it tends to be pretty deep, pretty
wet, soggy, and therefore HEAVY. The covered bridges in the Willamette
Valley are covered for precisely the same reason that they're covered in the
northeastern US. And true, they're now maintained for tourism reasons more
than anything else.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jan Steinman [mailto:Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 9:48 AM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Covered Bridges: Competing Theories
> > > Just an aside, what is the reason for putting a roof on a bridge ?
>> >
>> The best reason for a roof is to protect the deck and structure of the
>> bridge -- it will last longer.
>
>Roofs and sides are placed on wooden bridges only, at least here in the
>northeast US. Mainly to shed snow and ice in winter. The heavy, wet
>stuff would otherwise crush them--as early settlers found out.
That doesn't explain the many covered bridges in Western Oregon,
where it doesn't snow!
I'd guess they either did it here out of 1) nostalgia, for the
bridges back home, or 2) to keep the moss from growing on them, which
makes them slippery.
>The covered bridges are maintained for the benefit of tourism, mostly.
There are still a number of "working" covered bridges in the
Willamette Valley; many are well off the beaten tourist track.
My guess is the cost of replacing them is simply much more than the
cost of maintenance.
--
: Jan Steinman <mailto:Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
: Bytesmiths <http://www.bytesmiths.com>
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|