Near New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Meems Bottom Covered Bridge
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 25, 2006
1. Meems Bottom Covered Bridge Marker
Built in 1892 by Franklin Hiser Wissler to provide access to his apple orchards at Strathmore Farms, this is the longest remaining covered bridge in Virginia. a 200-foot single span, located one-half mile northwest, the bridge is a Burr Truss design, a combination of arch with vertical and diagonal supports. All construction materials were obtained locally. Damaged by arsonists in 1976, the bridge was restored and reopened in 1979.
Erected 1980 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number AB-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 38° 43.029′ N, 78° 38.814′ W. Marker is near New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on Old Valley Turnpike (U.S. 11) south of Wissler Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Jackson VA 22842, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge (approx. half a mile away); McNeills Last Charge
this page online
Regarding Meems Bottom Covered Bridge. The bridge itself is on Wissler Road, which is off Route 11 just north of this marker. There is a small parking and picnic area on the east end of the bridge. It is the last covered bridge maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Also see . . . Meems Bottom Covered Bridge. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 25, 2006
2. Marker at Pull-Off On Route 11
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 25, 2006
3. Heading East Towards the Bridge
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 25, 2006
4. Burr Truss Design Elements
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 25, 2006
5. The Restored Meems Bottom Covered Bridge
Virgina Department of Transportation website entry:
The bridge is no longer a single span. It seems that the folks that rebuilt it after the fire did not want to trust the original design, adding concrete and steel.
Click for more information.
The bridge is no longer a single span. It seems that the folks that rebuilt it after the fire did not want to trust the original design, adding concrete and steel.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,539 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
