Bunker Hill Covered Bridge

   


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Bunker Hill Covered Bridge

 

Hwy 70, Catawba County, NC 28609

 

 
In 1894, Catawba County Commissioners requested that the owners of Bunker Hill Farm build a bridge that would cross the former Native American trail at Lyle Creek.  The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge was built in 1895 by Andy L. Ramsour and is one of only two original covered bridges remaining in North Carolina. 
 

 
The bridge was covered in 1900 but a tin roof replaced the wooden shingles in 1921.  The bridge was donated to the Catawba County Historical Association in 1985 and it was restored in 1994.  The bridge is currently part of Connors Park on Hwy 70, two miles east of Claremont in Catawba County, NC.
 

The 128 year old bridge on a beautiful autumn day in October of 2013

 

 

 

National Historic
Civil Engineering Landmark

BUNKER HILL COVERED BRIDGE

 
The only remaining example of the Improved Lattice Truss timber bridge patented by Gen. Herman Haupt (1817 - 1905) in 1839.  Haupt was chief of Military Railroads for The Union Army during the Civil War.  This Philadelphia born civil and military engineer, author, inventor, and industrialist was one of the first to develop a national method of truss analysis.  His 1851 boo, "General Theory of Bridge Construction," is one of the earliest American books on bridge engineering.
 
Constructed 1895
Restored in 1994
Designated in 2001
 

 

BUNKER HILL COVERED BRIDGE
Across Lyle's Creek on Old Island Ford Road
Erected 1894, Covered 1900
Given to Catawba County Historical Association
By Raynelle B. and Claude S. Abernethy, Jr.,
and Ronda K. and Anna P. Bolick
Restoered 1994

 

 
 

A closer view of the bridge

 

 

 

A view of Lyle Creek beneath the bridge - as well as the rock foundation

 

Unfortunately, graffiti covers the walls of most of the bridge

 
 

Road signs at Exit 138 on Interstate 40 make the bridge easy to find

 

There are also several signs at the entrance of Connor Park designating the location of the bridge

 
 
 
 

Connor Park

 

 
You must enter through Connor Park to access the covered bridge.  There is a stream that flows through the park as well as numerous picnic tables for family picnics.
 

Curtis Loftin stands on the bridge that crosses the stream in the park

 

Picnic tables along Lyle Creek in Connors Park

 

Curtis Loftin - October 2013

 
 

Sam Loftin Family & Friends Picnic- 1974

 
Sam Loftin was the son of Alonzo Lester Loftin and Ida Lillian Setzer and the husband of Willie Aleen Goble.  He was the paternal grandson of William Alexander Loftin and Laura Rossie Cranford and the maternal grandson of Patrick Sylvanus Setzer and Margaret Ann Elizabeth Witherspoon.
 
In the Fall of 1974, Curtis Loftin (Sam & Willie's son) was coming home from college (Appalachian State University) to visit with his family for the weekend.  Curtis was bringing some of his college friends along with him - Carolyn Weeks (who later became Mrs. Curtis Loftin), Bill Mitchell and Bill Shearin.  The family decided to do a picnic at Connor's Park and hike to the bridge.
 
Sam & Willie's oldest son Billy Ray (William Ray Loftin) & his wife (Diane) and four children (Beverly Billy, Eric & Crystal) were also there for the picnic - as well as Sam & Willie's neighbor (and Curtis' second "Mama"), Mrs. Flora Edwards Stewart - and a high school friend of Curtis', Joyce Killian.
 
In the 1970's there were grills at the park, so hamburgers and hotdogs were grilled right there on the sight.  After the food was cooked, everyone loaded up there plates and enjoyed the meal before the hike to the bridge.
 

Billy Ray with his wife Diane, Sam holding Eric Loftin and Curtis holding Crystal Loftin

 

 

 

Mrs. Stewart waits as everything is prepared

 

 

 

Bill Mitchell, Carolyn Weeks (Loftin), Curtis and Bill Shearin loading their plates

 

Carolyn, Curtis, Sam, Bill M. and Bill S.

 

(Left) Sam & Willie; (Right) Sam & Joyce Killian

 

 

Sam & Willie's oldest granddaughter, Beverly, enjoys the stream at the park

 

Bill M., Curtis, Bill S. and Carolyn get surprised for this photo as they head to the bridge

 

The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge from a post card at the time

 
 
 
 
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