Simpson Creek Covered Bridge

The Simpson Creek Covered Bridge, also known as the W. T. Law Covered Bridge, is a restored covered bridge in Harrison County, West Virginia.

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The Simpson Creek Covered Bridge, also known as the W. T. Law Covered Bridge, is a restored covered bridge in Harrison County, West Virginia. It formerly carried County Route 24/2 near its junction with County Route 24.

In 1881, the Harrison County Court appointed Thomas S. Spates as a commissioner to examine a bridge site across Simpson Creek near Shinns Mills, prepare specifications, and receive construction bids. Spates reported to the court on September 9, 1881. ² Asa S. Hugill submitted the lowest bid, offering to complete the woodwork for $700 and the wingwalls and abutments for $4 per perch. Spates served as superintendent of construction, and the court ordered that John Lowe be paid $40 for land taken for the bridge right-of-way.

The bridge was completed by December 6, 1881, when a report was made to the court. ² The structure was a multiple Kingpost covered through truss built by Asa S. Hugill on land owned by John Lowe. Its total cost was recorded as $1,483. ^{1 2} Lowe was later paid $442, while Spates received $30 for his work. ²

The bridge survived the flood of 1888, but in July 1899, it was washed away from its original site, about half a mile upstream. ^{1 2} It was later relocated to its present location at Holen Mill. ²

The Simpson Creek Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1981. The structure was rehabilitated in 2002 with funding from the TEA-21 federal highway grant program. ³ Allegheny Restoration & Builders Inc. of Morgantown completed the $380,072 contract to replace deteriorated wood in its structure and siding.

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Details

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Sources

1. Historical marker.
2. Kemp, E. L. Simpson Creek Covered Bridge. National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1981.
3. “Simpson Creek.” West Virginia Department of Transportation.