Meem's Bottom is a beautiful 204 foot long wooded covered bridge that uses a single-span Burr Arch truss. The original bridge was built in 1867, but replaced in 1871 after a flood destroyed the first bridge. Flood waters attacked again in 1877 causing a third bridge to be constructed and by 1894 a fourth bridge had been built. That version lasted almost a century until vandals destroyed it by fire on Halloween of 1976. Many of the original timbers were salvaged during reconstruction and the current bridge has been carrying vehicular traffic since it was reopened in 1979.
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BRIDGE FACTS
Year Built: 1894
Builder: Franklin Hiser Wissler (1979)
Length: 204 feet
Truss type: Burr Arch
Location: North Fork of the Shenandoah River
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Its scenic location along a tree lined road with open fields on both sides and beautiful construction make this bridge one of my top favorites. Makes me wish I could rewind time and watch as generations past made use of the bridge in their comings and goings. If only all these historic landmarks could talk! read more