Hailing from a bygone era when horses were more common on roads than automobiles, covered bridges provide our busy, modern senses with charming reminders of less frenetic times. And in West Virginia, we still get to enjoy at least 17 of these historic structures.
Among West Virginia’s covered bridges, three stand out above the rest as especially significant. They are the Philippi Covered Bridge (pictured below), the Carrollton Covered Bridge, and the Barrackville Covered Bridge.
Carol M. Highsmith/Wikimedia
What makes these three extra special? This trio contains both the three oldest and the three longest covered bridges left in the state. In fact, each of these bridges pre-dates the Civil War!
mr_t_77/Flickr Pictured here is the Barrackville Covered Bridge.
The oldest and longest of the three is the Philippi Covered Bridge, built to cross the Tygart Valley River at Philippi in 1852 by Lemuel Chenoweth.
Hu Maxwell/Wikimedia The first land battle of the Civil War was fought near this bridge.
Originally 312 feet long, the Philippi Covered Bridge now stretches just over 285 feet, making it the longest covered bridge in West Virginia.
Valerius Tygart/Wikimedia Yet another thing that makes it notable? It’s one of only a handful of two-lane covered bridges left in the United States.
The second oldest and second longest in the state is the Barrackville Covered Bridge over Buffalo Creek in Marion County. It stretches 145 feet long and was built in 1853, also by famed Appalachian bridge builder Lemuel Chenoweth.
Brian M. Powell/Wikipedia
Finally, the third oldest and third longest of the trio is the Carrollton Covered Bridge over the Buckhannon River in Barbour County. This historic bridge was built in 1856 and spans 140 feet 9 inches in length. It was heavily damaged by a fire in 2017.
Brian M. Powell/Wikipedia
To find these three bridges, which are all located within an hour of each other, check Google Maps here. Have you ever been to see any (or all) of these bridges? How about the other 14 scattered throughout the state? You can learn more about all 17 here.
Carol M. Highsmith/Wikimedia
mr_t_77/Flickr
Pictured here is the Barrackville Covered Bridge.
Hu Maxwell/Wikimedia
The first land battle of the Civil War was fought near this bridge.
Valerius Tygart/Wikimedia
Yet another thing that makes it notable? It’s one of only a handful of two-lane covered bridges left in the United States.
Brian M. Powell/Wikipedia
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Address: Philippi Covered Bridge, 26416 US-250, Philippi, WV 26416, USAAddress: Barrackville Covered Bridge, Barrackville, WV 26559, USAAddress: Carrollton Covered Bridge, Volga, WV 26238, USA
