Salem-Shotwell Bridge: Difference between revisions
(New page: The '''Salem-Shotwell Bridge''', also known as the '''Pea Ridge Bridge''', is a 43-foot-long wooden covered bridge in the Opelika Municipal Park in Opelika. The bridge was origina...) |
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[[Image:Salem-Shotwell Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The Salem-Shotwell Bridge in 1998. Photo by Jimmy Emerson ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/133562768/in/photostream/ link])]] | |||
The '''Salem-Shotwell Bridge''', also known as the '''Pea Ridge Bridge''', is a 43-foot-long wooden covered bridge in the [[Opelika Municipal Park]] in [[Opelika]]. | The '''Salem-Shotwell Bridge''', also known as the '''Pea Ridge Bridge''', is a 43-foot-long wooden covered bridge in the [[Opelika Municipal Park]] in [[Opelika]]. | ||
The bridge was originally 76-feet long and was constructed in [[1900]] by [[Otto Puls]] over [[Wacoochee Creek]] on what is now Shotwell Road (Lee County Road 252) between the communities of [[Salem]] and [[Shotwell]]. The structure was a Town lattice truss, of the type patented by Ithiel Town of Connecticut in 1820. It featured [[Longleaf pine]] heartwood timbers connected with [[White oak]] pegs and topped with [[Cedar]] roof shakes. | The bridge was originally 76-feet long and was constructed in [[1900]] by [[Otto Puls]] over [[Wacoochee Creek]] on what is now Shotwell Road (Lee County Road 252) between the communities of [[Salem]] and [[Shotwell]]. The structure was a Town lattice truss, of the type patented by Ithiel Town of Connecticut in 1820. It featured [[Longleaf pine]] heartwood timbers connected with [[White oak]] pegs and topped with [[Cedar]] roof shakes. | ||
The bridge was restored by the county in [[1973]], but proved difficult to maintain. It was listed on the [[Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]] on [[January 25]], [[1977]]. The county closed the bridge to traffic in [[1994]]. A tree fell onto the structure on [[June 4]], [[2005]], causing it to collapse into the creek the next day. Many of the structural pieces were recovered and stored. On [[October 31]] the county transferred ownership to the city of Opelika, with an agreement that the city, [[Opelika Kiwanis Club]] and [[Lee County Historical Society]] would partner to reconstruct the bridge at Opelika Municipal Park. | The bridge was restored by the county in [[1973]], but proved difficult to maintain. It was listed on the [[Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]] on [[January 25]], [[1977]]. The county closed the bridge to traffic in [[1994]]. Antique store owner [[Allen Woodall]] proposed moving the bridge to a more prominent location near [[U. S. Highway 280]] in [[1997]]. Local residents organized the "Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge Society" to oppose the move, saying that divorcing the bridge from its original setting would undermine its historic value. | ||
A tree fell onto the structure on [[June 4]], [[2005]], causing it to collapse into the creek the next day. Many of the structural pieces were recovered and stored. On [[October 31]] the county transferred ownership to the city of Opelika, with an agreement that the city, [[Opelika Kiwanis Club]] and [[Lee County Historical Society]] would partner to reconstruct the bridge at Opelika Municipal Park. | |||
The bridge was reconstructed on new foundations at over the park's Rocky Brook. It was shortened to 43 feet and adapted for views outward by dropping the siding to below eye level. Interior lighting was added, bringing the total cost of reconstruction to $60,000. It was dedicated on [[August 14]], [[2007]]. | The bridge was reconstructed on new foundations at over the park's Rocky Brook. It was shortened to 43 feet and adapted for views outward by dropping the siding to below eye level. Interior lighting was added, bringing the total cost of reconstruction to $60,000. It was dedicated on [[August 14]], [[2007]]. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{Prince-1982}} | * {{Prince-1982}} | ||
* Willson, Andrew E. (January 23, 1997) "Bridge in Salem evokes memories and debate." ''The Plainsman'' | |||
* Prater, Donathan (January 31, 2008) "Bridge across time is step to the past." ''Opelika-Auburn News'' | |||
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salem-Shotwell_Covered_Bridge Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge]" (January 25, 2011), Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed March 13, 2011 | * "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salem-Shotwell_Covered_Bridge Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge]" (January 25, 2011), Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed March 13, 2011 | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{Locate | lat=32.609747 | lon=-85.208425 | zoom=17 | type=h }} | {{Locate | lat=32.609747 | lon=-85.208425 | zoom=17 | type=h }} | ||
* [http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=881 Salem Shotwell Bridge] at opelika.org | |||
* [http://www.opelikakiwanis.org/bridge.htm Shotwell Bridge] at opelikakiwanis.org | * [http://www.opelikakiwanis.org/bridge.htm Shotwell Bridge] at opelikakiwanis.org | ||
[[Category:Covered bridges]] | [[Category:Covered bridges]] | ||
[[Category:1900 buildings]] | [[Category:1900 buildings]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:2005 demolitions]] | ||
[[Category:2007 buildings]] | [[Category:2007 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Lee County]] | [[Category:Lee County buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]] | [[Category:Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:30, 11 May 2023
The Salem-Shotwell Bridge, also known as the Pea Ridge Bridge, is a 43-foot-long wooden covered bridge in the Opelika Municipal Park in Opelika.
The bridge was originally 76-feet long and was constructed in 1900 by Otto Puls over Wacoochee Creek on what is now Shotwell Road (Lee County Road 252) between the communities of Salem and Shotwell. The structure was a Town lattice truss, of the type patented by Ithiel Town of Connecticut in 1820. It featured Longleaf pine heartwood timbers connected with White oak pegs and topped with Cedar roof shakes.
The bridge was restored by the county in 1973, but proved difficult to maintain. It was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on January 25, 1977. The county closed the bridge to traffic in 1994. Antique store owner Allen Woodall proposed moving the bridge to a more prominent location near U. S. Highway 280 in 1997. Local residents organized the "Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge Society" to oppose the move, saying that divorcing the bridge from its original setting would undermine its historic value.
A tree fell onto the structure on June 4, 2005, causing it to collapse into the creek the next day. Many of the structural pieces were recovered and stored. On October 31 the county transferred ownership to the city of Opelika, with an agreement that the city, Opelika Kiwanis Club and Lee County Historical Society would partner to reconstruct the bridge at Opelika Municipal Park.
The bridge was reconstructed on new foundations at over the park's Rocky Brook. It was shortened to 43 feet and adapted for views outward by dropping the siding to below eye level. Interior lighting was added, bringing the total cost of reconstruction to $60,000. It was dedicated on August 14, 2007.
References
- Prince, A. G. (1982) Landmarks of Ensley: Past and Present. revised edition. Ensley: Best Printing Service
- Willson, Andrew E. (January 23, 1997) "Bridge in Salem evokes memories and debate." The Plainsman
- Prater, Donathan (January 31, 2008) "Bridge across time is step to the past." Opelika-Auburn News
- "Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge" (January 25, 2011), Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed March 13, 2011
External links
- Salem Shotwell Bridge at opelika.org
- Shotwell Bridge at opelikakiwanis.org