Images

What Lies Beneath

During the summer we all like to enjoy the water and will often stop by a lake to take a swim. While your out having a little fun have you ever considered what might be deep beneath the surface.

Located in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland is the Youghiogheny River Dam which was built to control flooding on the Yough river. In the early 1940’s the town of Somerfield was abandon due to the dam project and subsequently flooded. Leaving behind, Somerfield bridge which was once part of Rt. 40 also know as the National Pike. The bridge was dedicated in 1818 and was used until the flooding. For nearly 50 years the bridge and town remained under the surface of the water forgotten. But, in 1991 the bridge and town reappeared for the first time bringing visitors from all over to see the lost town. And since then in times of drought the lake is drained and the bridge and town reappear for a short time. And you guessed it, the town and bridge has reappeared this year and for a short time we can take a look at the old bridge. So if you have the time take a ride up to the lake and walk across the bridge, that was once part of the National Pike, and the submerged town of Somerfield.

The photos below are of the Somerfield bridge, some of the foundations, and a few other things that lie beneath the surface.

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Covered Bridges

So there is a bunch of different theories about why covered bridges were originally built.  Some say it was to keep the horses from getting spooked when they crossed.  Some say it was to provide shelter for those that got caught out in the weather.  But most likely they were covered to protect the massive wooden trusses that held the bridges together.  Adding the covering would increase the life of the bridge by as much as three times.

What ever the reason for the covered bridge, it most certainly has given us some beautiful sights to see out in the country side.  I’m lucky enough to live in an area where there are several bridges that have been preserved and today a few of photographed three of the local bridges.  Hope you enjoy the bridges as much as we did.

Kings Covered Bridge first built 1806.

Kings Covered Bridge 1802

The King’s Bridge is a historic covered bridge in Middlecreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1806, and is a 127-foot-4-inch-long (38.81 m) Burr truss bridge, with an asbestos covered gable roof. The bridge crosses Laurel Hill Creek. It is one of 10 covered bridges in Somerset County.[2]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  Info from Wikipedia

Barronvale Bridge first built 1902.

Barronvale Bridge 1830

The Barronvale Bridge, also known as Barron’s Mill Bridge, is a historic covered bridge at Middlecreek Township, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania crossing Laurel Hill Creek. At 162 feet 3 inches (49.45 m) it is the longest remaining covered bridge in Somerset County. It is 13 feet 10 inches (4.22 m) wide. The Burr truss bridge was built in 1902, and is one of 10 covered bridges in Somerset County.[2][3] Info from Wikipedia

Lower Humbert Covered Bridge built 1891.

Humbert Covered Bridge

The Lower Humbert Covered Bridge, or the Faidley Covered Bridge, is an 126-foot-6-inch (38.56 m) Burr Arch truss covered bridge that crosses Laurel Hill Creek, in Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was built in 1891 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1980.[2] It is one of the ten remaining covered bridges in Somerset County.  Info from Wikipedia.

Cruise Night

On Friday night I got the opportunity to drive a 1970 Z28 Camaro to the local car show for a great night out with some friends and family. I must say there really is something about the low growl of a muscle car.  Looking forward to the next show with anticipation and excitement.

Included with this post is several of the cars at the show.  Look for the orange and black Camaro that’s the one I drove to the show.  (insert large smile here).