Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site — Attraction in Centralia

This covered bridge is the only remaining Burr-arch truss bridge, a design which uses multiple king posts and an arch to support the bridge's truss. It was built in 1871 over the Elk Fork of the Salt River. It was nearly lost due to neglect and flooding but it was added to the state park system in 1967 and has been restored and repaired after a number of floods, most recently in 2019. It was closed to vehicular traffic in 1970 and added to the National Register of Historic Places that year.

The bridge is 120 feet long, 12 feet high and 17.5 feet wide. It was originally on the road between Paris and Fayette though newer and more modern roads now provide that route.

There is plenty of grass parking nearby and it is pretty far from civilization. As such, the inside is well covered in graffiti. Next to the bridge is a low-water crossing that I did not try driving across in the Sprinter van. A picnic table is here and...

The Union Covered Bridge was built in 1871, as part of the Paris - Fayette route, and derives its name from the nearby Union Church, it's now part of the Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site, which was established to preserve the bridge, which is one of only four remaining historic covered bridges in Missouri. A partial restoration was done on the bridge in 1968, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Although the site has no park or picnic tables, there is a small parking lot, and we very much enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the sound of the river below. Lacey also enjoyed the opportunity to cool off...

This place has its own history by its self of course. In October of 2016, I was given the honor by my god daughter, to be the photographer of her senior photos. Union Covered Bridge was one of the places we both agreed would be great to capturing this precious, special, mile stone moments of one that is so dear to me. It added to her photos such beautiful an peaceful fall backgrounds. It also contributed to her beauty an complimenting her even more. For me this place gave us both a memory I will...