Although many people associate covered bridges with New England, particularly Vermont, that is not where they originated. While there is evidence of them in other parts of the world before the United States existed, in this country, the first covered bridge was constructed over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
Known as the Permanent Bridge, it was built by Timothy Palmer, who did not intend it to be covered when construction began in 1800. In 1804, as the bridge neared completion, a Philadelphia judge named Richard Peters suggested covering it to protect its trusses and prolong its life. Palmer complied, and the first covered bridge opened for travel on January 1, 1805; but that was not the only thing that got started that day.
Although he couldn’t have foreseen it, Judge Peters’ strictly practical recommendation ignited discussions, debates, superstitions, and conjecture that would last for generations. As hundreds more of these bridges were built across the nation, questions persisted about everything from why they were covered, to whether or not they had magical powers. Undeniably, their magnetism is great. They have historically drawn diverse types of people for reasons so disparate that, when the question arises about why people go to covered bridges, the answer rarely has anything to do with getting to the other side.
Covered bridges have sparked many a romantic notion. Because it was so common for couples to steal a few kisses inside of them, they came to be known as “kissing bridges.” Many remaining bridges still have lovers’ initials carved into their wooden trusses. So popular were they for this practice that one might speculate that they inspired the “tunnel of love” rides that are favorite amusement park attractions.
Covered bridges can also be looked upon as early versions of modern playgrounds, as kids frequently used their rafters as monkey bars. Moreover, it was not unusual for them to foil a romantic moment by swooping down on couples who had chosen an inopportune time for their clandestine displays of affection. When not lurking in the rafters, the urchins also fished from the bridges, and used them as diving boards when they went swimming.
Covered bridges were used as venues for campaign rallies, religious services, meetings, debates, weddings, and picnics. Advertisers, circus promoters, and those touting medicine shows also used them as billboards, nailing up posters and flyers inside of them.
Another unpredictable effect of the judge’s prudent advice was that the cover gave the bridge a picturesque enchantment that would cause the entire country to fall in love with it. Although there are very few original covered bridges left, the sight, or even the thought, of them stirs strong feelings of nostalgia.
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