Covered bridges were first invented in Europe, but builders in North America improved on the design. Between 1805 and 1900, over 10,000 were built in the U.S. Many were in what is now West Virginia, including more than 50 in Harrison County alone. By 1959, West Virginia had 47 covered bridges still standing—but by the 2020s, only 17 remained.

You can still visit these bridges in places like Philippi, Carrollton, Center Point, and Barrackville. The Mud River Covered Bridge, was moved and rebuilt at Pumpkin Park in Milton, and Staats Mill was relocated to the Cedar Lakes State Conference Center.

Covered bridges were originally built to protect wooden structures from bad weather. Most were built by skilled local carpenters using wooden triangles called trusses. Each design had a different name, like the Burr, Long, or Howe truss. The Philippi bridge is one of only six two-lane covered bridges in use in the country.

Some bridges use simpler trusses, like the kingpost, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Others use versions like the queenpost or multiple kingpost to span longer distances.

Today, West Virginia’s remaining covered bridges are not only useful but also beautiful. They show off the hard work and creativity of the people who built them, and many have survived floods, wars, and even fires for over 150 years.