Fletcher Covered Bridge, Maken West Virginia
John C. Rogers, ordered that William N. Edgell, Elias Swiger, and R. M. Rogers be appointed viewers to locate a site for a bridge over the right hand fork of Ten Mile Creek, near the residence of John G. Rogers. The viewers were to report back to court concerning the size of abutments, height of fills, span length, and the probable cost. J. T. Williams was appointed by the court on July 1, 1891 as a special commissioner to advertise and receive bids for the construction of the bridge. On August 21, 1891, Soloman Swiger was awarded the contract for building the superstructure for $7.25 per linear foot, and L. E. Sturm received the contract for the construction of the abutments for $4.45 per cubic yard. To ensure the faithful performance of their work, Sturm entered into bond with the court on September 16, 1891, for $1500.00 and on September 18, 1891, Swiger entered into bond for $600.00. Genius Payne, who was appointed by the court to superintend the building of the bridge, declined the appointment on September 27, 1891, and was succeeded by W. J. Williams. After W. J. Williams, on November 27, 1891, reported to the court that the masonry had been completed according to contract, it was ordered that L. E. Sturm be paid $937.46. The same day Williams also reported that the superstructure was nearing completion, and the court ordered that Soloman Swiger be given an advance of $100.00. On December 14, 1891, Williams submitted his final report. A county claims list, dated December 23, 1891, shows that a total of $435.00 was paid to Soloman Swiger, $18.00 of which was to be given to D. D. Robinson, and $30.00 was to be given to the Garrett brothers. The total cost of the bridge was $1372.46
The Fletcher Bridge is one of three covered bridges remaining in Harrison County and-stands out as one of the few covered bridges in West Virginia that has not been significantly altered from its original condition.
Bridge Description
The Fletcher Bridge is 12.4 feet wide and 58.4 feet long. It has red board-and-batten siding and an asphalt composition roof covering and protecting a pair of kingpost trusses. The multiple kingpost truss was the most popular type used for covered bridges. These trusses have six panels, each approximately 9.6 feet in length and 11.6 feet high. The ends of the diagonals (typically 6 x 8 inches) are flush against the top and bottom chords, which consist of two 6 x 43 inch and two 6 x 10 inch timbers, and fit partially into small notches made in the 7 x 8-inch verticals. The cross-sectional dimensions of the diagonals at the end panels, and the center posts are 8 x 8 inches and 8 x 9½ inches respectively. A series of 2 x 9-inch transverse floor beams, which rest on the bottom chords spaced on 20. inch centers, along the length of the bridge, support the timber deck. Noteworthy are the joggle splice pieces that join the components of the lower chord, and the superior masonry work of the abutments.
Northeast side elevation (1981)
