A Colorful History - Locust Creek Covered Bridge - Laclede, MO - Missouri Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

County of site: Linn County
Location of site: East end of Dart Rd., 1 mile E. of Danube Dr., 1 mile N. of US-36, 4 miles W. of Laclede
Markers erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks
Marker also erected by State Historical Society of Missouri

Why Covered Bridges? The many nooks and crannies in an uncovered bridge trapped dirt and moisture. This condition was ideal for decay of the timbers. Uncovered bridges exposed to the elements had a normal life expectancy of around ten years. Covered bridges, of "wooden tunnels" as they were sometimes known, were roofed over to increase their longevity. Local officials ordered bridges covered for the protection of the trusses. As one contemporary expressed it, bridges were covered for the same reasons women wore petticoats - "...to protect their underpinnings." Other advantages resulted:
    1. The barn like structures helped reassure farm animals about to cross
    2. The edifices served as emergency shelters
    3. The covering added to the strength of the bridge, reducing the sag and creaking.

American Design & Innovation
Although American bridge builders cannot take credit for inventing the idea, their innovations and craftsmanship accelerated cover bridge evolution. They succeeded in combining utility ans aesthetics. A few bridges with scroll work trim, pedestrian sidewalks, exposed trusses or bright colors were handsome architectural additions to their localities. However, the majority of covered bridges were not embellished. Rural Americans desired sturdy, long lasting structures to justify the public expense.

Posters
In the 1800s and early 1900s, posters were an important means of advertising. Posters lined the roadways mush like billboards do today. They were usually printed using inks thick with varnish on good heavy paper or tin so they could withstand the elements. The covered bridge, because of the protection it offered became a prime spot for these richly colored advertisements. Posters advertised everything from the latest miracle cure to the newest sewing machine; from the big circus coming to town to the best seeds to buy for growing turnips. There are still small remnants of these posters tacked to the beams in some covered bridges today. But, even if you cannot find the posters, there are thousands of tacks and nails to mark the sot where the colorful posters once proclaimed the wonders of their product.

The Toll Bridge
The toll bridge was used much as we use them today, to raise money for the const5ruction and upkeep of a bridge. The main difference between now and then is that in the 12800s there were no laws to control tolls. Anyone who had the money could build a bridge, and then charge a toll to use it. The average toll was very much like the one shown above, Some tollkeepers, however, did not post permanent sings. They used a chalkboard or just a sing saying "TOLL". This enabled the tollkeeper to charge whatever they saw fit. There were some exceptions to the toll. Churchgoers on Sunday did not have to pay nor did people attending town meetings or doctors on call. As time passed, it became evident that laws were needed to control tolls. Government stepped in and eventually took over all toll bridges.

Rates of Toll
Every foot passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3¢
Every head of live Sheep, Hogs, or Calves . . . . 1½¢
Every head of Horned Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9¢
Every Horse, Jack, Mule, or Ox whether led or drove . . . . .9¢
Every Hose or Mule with rider . . . . . . . . . . . . .12½¢
Every two wheel Carriage, drawn by one Horse . . . .18½¢
Every four wheel Pleasure Carriage,
      drawn by one or more Horses . . . . . . 25¢
Every Stag Wagon, drawn by one Horse, Jack or Mule . . . 18½¢
Every Stage Wagon, drawn by five Horses, Jacks or Mules . 37¢
Every Freight or Burthen Wagon, drawn by one Horse . . . . 12½¢
Every Cart or other two wheel Carriage of Burthen
      drawn by one Horse, Jack or Mule . . . . . . . . . . .12½¢
Every Sleigh or Sled, of any description
      drawn by one Horse, Jack or Mule . . . . . . . . . . . .12½¢

Fine of One Dollar   For any person or persons crossing this bridge on Horse Back or in a Carriage or Sleigh of any description, to travel faster than on a walk, or . . .
  For any person to cross said Bridge with Horses, Jacks, Mules, or Oxen, consisting of more than Ten in one Drove, or to cross with Loaded Carriages or Sleighs drawn by more than two beasts, at a less distance than 30 feet, each from the other, or....
  For any person or persons with Carriage or Carriages, Sleigh or Sleighs of any description, or . .[unreadable] . .to take the left hand passage .
  3000 Dollars Fine for attempting to ...[unreadable] ... Bridge.

Web link: [Web Link] History of Mark: Covered bridges are nostalgic reminders of days gone by. Locust Creek Covered Bridge not only reminds us of how "life's highway" has changed, but also how traveled highways and creek channels can change. Locust Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1868 by the construction firm Bishop and Eaton. Originally know as Linn County Bridge, Locust Creek Covered Bridge is the longest of the four surviving covered bridges in Missouri at 151 feet. Running parallel to the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, the bridge was situated on the main east-west road in northern Missouri. Locate midway between Laclede and Meadville, it served a local population that included the young John Joseph Pershing, who became the nation's highest-ranking military commander. As a boy, Pershing swam and fished in the creek near the bridge. The bridge once served as a link over Locust Creek on America's first transcontinental road. Shortly before World War I, Route 8 was laid out as the first transcontinental road, crossing over Locust Creek Covered Bridge. Just as horse-drawn wagons and buggies were gradually replaced with cars, in 1930, U.S. Highway 36 replaced Route 8. Locust Creek Covered Bridge no longer would house a transcontinental road. Today, the road across Locust Creek Covered Bridge is not the only thing you'll find missing. Most of Locust Creek's channel was straightened following World War II, leaving the bridge spanning a dry creek bed. Over the years, floodwaters deposited topsoil, filling the empty creek bed, and causing Locust Creek Covered Bridge to rest on the ground. In 1967, nearly 100 years after its completion, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill authorizing the Missouri State Park Board to take possession of, repair, and preserve the then-five remaining covered bridges in the state, including Locust Creek. Two years later, after restoration, it was placed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, the bridge was raised six feet to give it once again the appearance of a bridge and to protect the floor from wet ground below. Adjacent to the bridge is a kiosk sheltering panels that interpret the history of the bridge. Originally built to provide strength and shelter to the bridge structure, covered bridges also provide shelter from wind, show and rain for riders in uncovered buggies and carriages. Missouri's surviving covered bridges are precious examples of fine craftsmanship using simple but effective engineering techniques Additional point: Not Listed

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