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It wasn't to keep the snow off. People traveled by sleigh in the winter 
and had to shovel snow on to the bridges. It was to preserve the 
structure from weathering and extend it's life. Which must have worked, 
as I don't think I've seen any uncovered wooden bridges of that age.  Libby

Cindy Stafford wrote:
> Being a nerdy engineer (and highway designer at that), I've wondered 
> what was the reason behind covered bridges.  To keep snow off during 
> the winter?  Did it preserve the deck longer by keeping the weather 
> off of it?
>  
> Well this weekend I tried to ride my horse across a bridge for only 
> the second time ever.  Needless to say, she impressed me with the 
> number of 180 degree spins she could pull and the quickness of them.  
> She couldn't keep her eyes off of the sides which were open to the 30 
> ft drop below.  Finally had to get off and lead her with a guide horse 
> in front.
>  
> Couple days later I saw a picture of a covered bridge and thought man 
> i could have used that last weekend.  The lightbulb finally went on 
> (duh...) - so what do you think?  Is that why the bridges were 
> covered?  So the horses would cross?  Or is there a real documented 
> reason out there?  Enlighten me if you know!
>  
> Confused..
> Cindy

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