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Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site

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Coordinates: 38°17′38″N 90°31′05″W / 38.29389°N 90.51806°W / 38.29389; -90.51806
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Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site (the United States)
LocationJefferson County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates38°17′38″N 90°31′05″W / 38.29389°N 90.51806°W / 38.29389; -90.51806
Area211.78 acres (85.70 ha)[1]
Established1968[2]
Visitors168,608 (in 2022)[3]
OperatorMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteSandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
Nearest cityHillsboro, Missouri
Area9.9 acres (4.0 ha)
Built1872 (1872); rebuilt in 1886
Built byHouse Springs Big River Valley Macadamized & Gravel Road Co.;
rebuilt by Henry Steffin[4]
Architectural styleHowe Truss
NRHP reference No.70000337
Added to NRHPJuly 8, 1970

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site is a publicly owned property in Jefferson County, Missouri, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, preserving the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge.[5] The bridge is one of four remaining covered bridges in Missouri, which once numbered about 30. It is a relatively rare example of a Howe truss bridge, one of three in Missouri. The covered bridge is named for Sandy Creek, which it crosses, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[6]

History

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Jefferson County embarked on a building program following the American Civil War and paid John H. Morse $2000 for the construction of Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in 1872. Six bridges were built that year along the Old Lemay Ferry Road to connect the county seat of Hillsboro to St. Louis County. It was destroyed by high water in 1886, and was rebuilt for $899 by Henry Steffin using half of the original timbers and the original abutments. The bridge is 74.5 feet (22.7 m) long and 18 feet 10 inches (5.74 m) wide and has a height of 13 feet (4.0 m).[7]

The bridge came under the protection of the state parks system when the state legislature passed an act in 1967 declaring all remaining covered bridges in the state to be state historic sites. Jefferson County released the bridge to the state in 1968; a major restoration project returned the bridge to its original appearance in 1984.[7]

Activities and amenities

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The bridge is open to pedestrian traffic. The historic site offers picnic tables, toilet facilities, and an interpretive display.

References

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  1. ^ "Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. 25 August 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  3. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Charla A. Piggott, Research Historian (March 4, 1970). "Sandy Creek Covered Bridge" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 10 December 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "Sandy Creek Covered Bridge". NPGallery. National Park Service. July 8, 1970. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site: General Information". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
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