Use and restoration Cogan House Covered Bridge

view of bridge on larrys creek, burr arch (red) , kingposts (black) visible above siding

the cogan house covered bridge 1 on larrys creek survive major flood on june 1, 1889, washed out other bridges throughout lycoming county. large fallen maple tree formed dam across larrys creek, upstream of bridge; dam blocked debris , diverted brunt of floodwaters. same flood destroyed larrys creek plank road , canal @ creek s mouth. same storm system caused johnstown flood, killed on 2,200 people.

after flood plank road reconstructed far north salladasburg, time traffic english center tannery went on bridge on way railroad @ cogan station. however, virgin timber supplied local tanneries , sawmills clear-cut within several years of flood. without timber, industries used roads leading bridge closed , local villages declined, or, in case of buckhorn, disappeared.

by 1900, there 4 remaining covered bridges on larrys creek: going upstream @ hamlet of larryville in piatt township, @ or near mud run in mifflin township, in salladasburg, , in cogan house township. of 2011, cogan house covered bridge oldest , longest of 3 19th-century covered bridges remaining in lycoming county (the others buttonwood covered bridge in jackson township on blockhouse creek, , lairdsville covered bridge in moreland township on little muncy creek).

the bridge had needed repairs made in 1964, , original stone abutments reinforced concrete prior 1966. added nrhp on july 24, 1980 in multiple property submission of 7 covered bridges of bradford, sullivan , lycoming counties, , painted , creosoted in 1981. 1980 nrhp form , zacher s 1994 book both list bridge s condition good. lycoming county commissioners had bridge rehabilitated in 1998, @ cost of $105,493. general contractor restoration lycoming supply inc., replaced structural beams treated southern pine , dutch lap or clapboard siding white pine. purlins , rafters reconstructed using treated yellow pine, , support new roof of cedar shake shingles. deck , floor of bridge solid , required few repairs. bridge painted red, , stone pillar built plaques marking restoration , bridge s inclusion on nrhp.

view of bridge , larrys creek southwest, private hunting cabin (white) on buckhorn mountain behind it

because bridge listed on nrhp, pennsylvania historical , museum commission had approve renovation. pennsylvania department of transportation (penndot) , federal highway administration (fhwa) funds helped pay work done. dedication ceremony held on october 30, 1998, lycoming county commissioner russell reitz , penndot director of municipal services thomas lyons cutting plank on wooden sawhorses old crosscut saw ribbon cutting ceremony. other county commissioners , local state representative , state senator present , spoke, did representative of theodore burr covered bridge society of pennsylvania .

in august 2000 inspection revealed 1 of timber arches of cogan house covered bridge damaged vehicle on weight limit crossing bridge. propane delivery truck making delivery private hunting cabin served bridge thought have caused damage. lycoming supply inc. won bid repair work in december, @ cost of $6,300. before repair bridge remained open , safe use. evans 2001 book describes condition of bridge excellent.

despite restoration , repairs, 2009 fhwa national bridge inventory found sufficiency rating of bridge structure 17.2 percent. inventory found condition of bridge deck , substructure satisfactory, while superstructure poor. further found bridge s foundations determined stable assessed or calculated scour conditions , railings not meet acceptable standards . overall condition deemed intolerable requiring high priority of corrective action ; 2006 nbi estimated cost improve bridge @ $143,000.

the bridge still used, although public dirt road ends in cul de sac on east side. gated private road continues private hunting camp , provides access pennsylvania state game lands no. 114. bridge has posted speed limit of 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) , average daily traffic ten vehicles in 2009. pennsylvania s covered bridges: complete guide notes despite being located in rather remote area, worth trip see beautifully restored historic treasure.