Editing Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox bridge
|bridge_name   = Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge
|native_name   = 
|image         = Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge.jpg
|image_size    = 300px
|alt           = 
|caption       = 
|official_name = 
|carries       = 
|crosses       = 
|locale        = Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
|maint         = 
|id            = 
|designer      = 
|design        = single span, double [[Burr arch truss]]
|material      = 
|spans         = 
|pierswater    = 
|mainspan      = 
|length        = {{convert|180|ft|m|1}}
|width         = 
|height        = 
|load          = 
|clearance     = 
|below         = 
|traffic       = 
|builder       = John Russell
|begin         = 1843
|complete      = 
|open          = 
|coordinates   = {{coord|40.0872|-76.2475|type:landmark_region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
}}
The '''Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge''' is a [[covered bridge]] located in [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]].<ref name="lancaster.pa.us">{{cite web
 |title=Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge 
 |work=Lancaster County, PA Government Portal 
 |publisher=County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania 
 |date=2001-10-30 
 |url=http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=15&q=257204 
 |accessdate=2006-07-07 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927000527/http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=15&q=257204 
 |archivedate=2007-09-27 
}}</ref> The bridge has a single span, wooden, double [[Burr arch truss]]es design. The bridge, which spans the [[Conestoga River]], is {{convert|180|ft|m}} long, making it the longest single span covered bridge in the county.<ref name="padutch">{{cite web
 |title=Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge 
 |work=Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center 
 |publisher=Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau 
 |year=2006 
 |url=http://www.padutchcountry.com/member_pages/hunsecker_s_mill_covered_bridge__.asp 
 |accessdate=2006-07-07 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317124333/http://www.padutchcountry.com/member_pages/hunsecker_s_mill_covered_bridge__.asp 
 |archivedate=2006-03-17 
}}</ref>

The bridge's [[World Guide to Covered Bridges|WGCB]] Number is 38-36-06.<ref name="Bickel">{{cite web
  | author = Bickel, Hank
  | title = Hunsecker's Mill Bridge  
  | work = Covered Bridges of the Northeast USA
  | date = 2005-06-23
  | url = http://www.coveredbridgesite.com/pa/hunsecker.html
  | accessdate = 2006-08-04 }}</ref>  Unlike most historic covered bridges in the county, it is not listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. It is located at {{coord|40|5|13.8|N|76|14|51|W|type:city}} (40.08717, -76.24750). The bridge is approximately one mile southeast of [[Pennsylvania Route 272]] and is {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} north of [[Pennsylvania Route 23]] off Mondale Road on Hunsecker Road, just west of the community of [[Hunsecker, Pennsylvania|Hunsecker]].<ref name="Travis">{{cite web
  | author = Travis, Dale 
  | title = 38-36-06
  | work = Round Barns & Covered Bridges
  | date = 
  | url = http://www.dalejtravis.com/bridge/pennsylv/htm/3803606.htm
  | accessdate = 2006-08-08 }}</ref>  The bridge divides the road on which it is upon into Hunsecker Road (East) in [[Upper Leacock Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Leacock Township]] and Hunsicker Road (West) in [[Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Manheim Township]].

== History ==
The original bridge was built in 1843<ref name="Bickel"/> by John Russell at a cost of [[United States dollar|$]]1,988. It was and is a double [[Burr Truss|Burr Arch]] truss system. It has been swept away in [[flood]]ing numerous times, most recently in 1972 after [[Hurricane Agnes]].<ref name="McCain">{{cite web
 |author      = Dr. Roger A. McCain
 |title       = Hunsecker's Mill Bridge
 |work        = A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas
 |url         = http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/bridge/CBHunsecker.html
 |accessdate  = 2006-08-03
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20060907091602/http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/bridge/CBHunsecker.html
 |archivedate = 2006-09-07
}}</ref>  Waters lifted the original structure off its abutments and carried it downstream. In 1973, following destruction from the hurricane, it was rebuilt at a cost of $321,302.<ref name="padutch"/><sup>''Note:''<ref name="note">Bickel lists 1948 as another reconstruction date, but fails to mention the significant and more recent 1972 flooding and subsequent reconstruction.</ref></sup>  Its length of 180 feet makes it the longest single-span covered bridge of Lancaster County's 28 covered bridges. While Schenck's covered bridge (Big Chiques #4) is one of 3 bridges with horizontal siding boards, the Hunsecker's Mill bridge may be the only one in Lancaster County with horizontal floor boards which give a unique vibration upon crossing, it is a little bumpy for cyclists at speed, proceed with some caution. A detailed scale model (~7' long), complete with stone abutments, was donated to the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and may be available for viewing.

== Dimensions ==
*'''Length:''' {{convert|180|ft|m}} total length<ref name="padutch"/><ref name="Bickel"/><ref name="McCain"/>
*'''Width:''' {{convert|15|ft|m}} total width<ref name="Bickel"/><ref name="McCain"/>
*'''Overhead clearance:''' {{convert|13|ft|10|in|m}}<ref name="Bickel"/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:HunsickerMillBridge.jpg|A three-quarters view of the bridge
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Three Quarters View 3008px.jpg|Another view from a different angle
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Wide Side View 3000px.jpg|A side view
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge East Approach 2850px.jpg|The approach to the bridge from the east
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Inside 3000px.jpg|The inside of the bridge showing the [[Burr arch truss]]
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Burr Arch Bridge 3008px.jpg|A closer look of the Burr arch bridge
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Floor and Wall 3000px.jpg|A closeup of spot where the floor meets the wall
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Center 3008px.jpg|The center of the bridge highlighting the [[Burr arch truss]]
Image:Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge Window 3008px.jpg|A view out of the bridge's window
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Burr truss|Burr arch truss]]
*[[List of crossings of the Conestoga River]]
*[[List of Lancaster County covered bridges]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Crossings navbox
|structure       = Bridges
|place           = [[Conestoga River]]
|bridge          = Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge
|bridge signs    = 
|upstream        = [[Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge]]
|upstream signs  = 
|downstream      = [[Pennsylvania Route 23|New Holland Pike Bridge]]
|downstream signs = [[Image:PA-23.svg|20px]]
}}

[[Category:Covered bridges in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1843]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Conestoga River]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Wooden bridges in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Burr Truss bridges in the United States]]