Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site
The Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site is a state park in Monroe County of the U.S. state of Missouri
After two failures with uncovered bridges two covered bridges over the Elk Fork and the North Fork of the Salt River were commissioned in 1870 by the Monroe County Court for $ 5,000.
Joseph C. Elliot built the Union Covered Bridge, which has been preserved as a single in Burr arch truss by Theodore Burr in Missouri, whereas the other three remaining covered bridges were all built in the Howe Truss design by William Howe. The logs of the bridge are made of oak wood around. The slats for the side walls and the wooden shingles for the roof are handmade. The wooden bridge is 120 feet long, 17.5 feet wide and 12 feet high, and thus met the requirements for the clearance of a loaded Heuwagens.
The advantage of a covered bridge over an uncovered lies in weather protection. In the summer climate there is a risk of rot, while in winter threaten ice and frost damage. In addition, the design improves the structural analysis. For the cattle drive the closed side walls were a relief, because the animals were less nervous if they could not see themselves under the river. The side walls were used as stop surfaces to attach advertising posters in it or to label them or to paint. Over the years, many wooden bridges were replaced by metal bridges that were more stable and less susceptible to weathering.
The Union Covered Bridge has survived many a time flood, fire and decay. In the late 1960s her condition was serious, but in 1968 the Missouri State Park Board authorized by the at that time still remaining bridges to care for their restoration and their maintenance. The wooden bridge was partially restored with remnants of the Mexican Covered Bridge, this fifth covered bridge in Missouri fell short period of time after the decision to rescue a flood victim.
Two years later the Union Covered Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic after trucks have caused damage to the bridge structure. Likewise, in 1970 the Union Covered Bridge was officially entered in the National Register of Historic Places. In a second restoration in 1988, the exchange rotten beams, warped warped side parts and the repair of fasteners was.
It was named after the covered bridge, the nearby Union Church. They not only served for 99 years as a bridge for traffic flow, but also as a landmark, makeshift barn and billboard. In today's time is the historic site a witness to history, a destination and venue for weddings.