Simpson Creek Covered Bridge

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.