The Harrisburg Covered Bridge was built over the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River by Elbert Stephenson Early in 1875. The bridge is of quite simple design. It was originally supported by what is known as a "queenpost" truss. This type of truss made of hardwood beams permitted the engineer to span a greater distance than the more simplistic "kingpost" truss. The Harrisburg Bridge is roughly sixty feet long and the flooring of the bridge is made of oak planks which were laid from side to side. Windows are set between the vertical post of the truss. Shingles were probably the original roofing material, however, a new galvanized tin roof was added during restoration. Clapboard siding covers the vertical posts which support the roof. The bridge is located a short distance off U.S. Highway 411 with one lane width that adequately serves the residents of the rolling countryside beyond the East Fork.
Like many covered bridges in America, it had fallen into dilapidated condition. In 1972, the Great Smokies Chapter and the Spencer Clack Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution financed the repair and restoration of the structure. At this time, a large concrete support was also added at the center of the bridge.
Harrisburg is a small community in rural Sevier County. There was never any extensive development in the area that it is marked by some fine examples of mid and late nineteenth century homes. The Harrisburg Covered Bridge, long a landmark in the area and some of the only infrastructure since its construction in 1875, is significant as an example of the covered bridges which were once numerous in the state, but have now almost disappeared. It is, in fact, one of just a half-dozen or so which are still standing in Tennessee. Fortunately, it was saved from total dilapidation when two local DAR chapters saw fit to restore the structure and it is one of only three still in use today.
On June 10, 1975, the Harrisburg Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in the areas of engineering and transportation. All of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration that can be viewed here:
npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/d2c42d61-3de6-4aeb-891...
Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/
