National Register of Historic Places

Wertz's Covered Bridge

Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Listed
November 17, 1978
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
78002347

About this property

Wertz's Covered Bridge, also known as the Red Covered Bridge, is a historic wooden covered bridge located at Bern Township and Spring Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The bridge is a 204-foot-long (62 m), Burr Truss bridge, constructed in 1867. It crosses the Tulpehocken Creek. It serves as the walkway entrance to the Berks County Heritage Center, which also includes the Gruber Wagon Works. It is one of five covered bridges remaining in Berks County. It is the largest single-span covered bridge in Pennsylvania. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1959 from 10 April to 3 August, however, when the Warren Street Bypass opened the bridge was closed permanently on 23 October 1959. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 17 November 1978. From June until December 1984 the bridge was restored. The siding was replaced, several floor boards were replaced, it was jacked up, realigned, tightened, camber restored, and the rotted arch ends were replaced along with cedar roof shingles.

Location

Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
40.36871, -75.97843

Categories

ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Nearby Historic Sites

Gruber Wagon Works
Industrial
0.1 mi
Foos, Charles S., Elementary School
Industrial
2.6 mi
Stirling
Industrial
2.6 mi
Queen Anne Historic District
Listed
2.6 mi
Meinig Glove Factory-Meinig, E. Richard, Co.
Industrial
2.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Wertz's Covered Bridge listed on the National Register?

Wertz's Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 17, 1978.

What type of historic resource is Wertz's Covered Bridge?

Wertz's Covered Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Wertz's Covered Bridge?

The period of significance for Wertz's Covered Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.

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