Humpback Covered Bridge

It nice to get out and not only see history still intake but so great modern art as well. This is one of a few covered bridges left to explore not only in the U. S but in VA!
The bridge is located in the Western part of VA. It is part of a small park. Picnic tables, a small stream and parking area are available. You can walk around and get some different views of the bridge as well as walk through the bridge. It is only for people to explore!
The bridge itself looks well maintained despite the many, many signatures of who knows how long scribed inside throughout the whole inside.
I obviously went here during the wintertime but I bet it would look beautiful through all the seasons. Good place to visit or stop for a picnic as your passing through the area.

Humpback Bridge is thee covered bridge of all covered bridges. It not only is the oldest in the state of Virginia and one of the oldest in the country, but it has the most unique in design. It gets its name from the arched construction of its hand hewed timbers making it higher in the middle than at either of its entry points.
It was first opened to traffic in 1857 at a length of 108 feet. Prior to opening, three other bridges were built at this location and each was destroyed due to flood/​weathering in 1837, 1842 and 1856 respectively. To avoid this fourth edition having the same fate of the original three, the design was modified to help the bridge avoid any further damage from floods. The result is a one of a kind structure that stood uniquely for over 150 years until the humped design was duplicated by the opening of the Old Salem Heritage Bridge in Winston-​Salem NC:

Typical of many old covered bridges that became private property, Humpback served as a hay barn once it was decommissioned/​bypassed in the late 1920’s. A group of activists along with the Chamber of Commerce raised funds to restore the bridge 1954. It most recently went under extensive renovations by the LOVE project in 2013 using funds from the National Historic Covered Bridge Program.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The LOVE project is part of Virginia’s social media campaign promoting Virginia as a state for lovers and that «love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.» If you view the bridge just right, you will see the word love spelled out in front of you. Using a V-​shaped tree growing near the bridge, the project used materials with significant heritage of the Alleghany Highlands. The info sign says the «L» is made from historic bricks while the «O» is a gear from a retired paper mill and the «E» is made of railroad ties, giving homage to the historic importance of railroads to the region. It really is quite fascinating and as unique as the bridge itself.
I LOVE covered bridges and I LOVE what they have done to preserve this amazing and spectacular piece of American engineering history. There are plenty of picnic tables and even portapotties if you choose to say a while. If this weren’t the last stop on a long two week road trip I would have giving several hours to just lounging here. But the family was ready to get home and urged me back into the car. Since they are my first LOVE, I obliged with their wishes, but someday I’ll be back to see this beauty again.

Humpback Covered Bridge (HCB) is the oldest remaining covered bridge in Virginia. The plaque at the site says it was built in 1835 and constructed by hand hewn timbers, but according to other information I found online, HCB succeeded three other bridges mostly due to floods. It continued as a working bridge until 1929, and it became a registered Virginia Historic Landmark. I knew I wanted to check it out during my mini summer vacation with my sons even though it was a bit of a drive to get there. Once we arrived today, it was well worth it.
HCB is a 100-​foot-​long, single-​span structure, and it got its name because it is four feet higher in the center compared to the ends. The bridge is in beautiful shape thanks to restoration except for the graffiti inside. The grounds around the bridge are also lovely and it is a wonderful spot to have a picnic. My boys and I enjoyed walking around, saw a rabbit in a field nearby, took photos, and listened to the creek.
Here are some highlights:
* Picnic Tables and grills
*Placard with brochures
* Port-​a-​potties with sink
* Lots of parking
* Great photo ops including a LOVEwork
* Dunlap Creek flows underneath HCB
* Watch a video about the restoration of HCB before visiting (
)
Additional Info:
Here is a list of covered bridges in U.S.:
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges
Covered Bridges: Spanning the American Landscape (this is a .pdf and HCB is on the cover)