In case I am worried about authenticity, my informant at Barbour County Historical Society Museum assures me that most of the charred wood was simply scraped away, leaving enough thickness to be sturdy--after all, original local lumber was extra think! Mostly roof and siding were replaced, but not much structure this time.

Philippi residents let the Road Commission hear their Rebel Yell in the 1930’s, when some supports rotted away and a boy fell through and drowned. Locals wouldn’t have it replaced with iron. They wanted this bridge and no other!

The Road Commission offered to set it up at another site as a monument, but residents didn’t want a monument. They wanted to continue driving through it. The only answer then was concrete supports, and the only answer to the fire was to restore the upper two-arch wooden span. (Philippi-2: Road Commission-0) Now, it is more like the original than at any other period in its cat-like history.

West Virginia still has seventeen covered bridges, but this is the only one in the nation that operates as part of a federal highway.

It is a symbol of strength, we learn from one Philippi resident, who narrates with pride how its designer, Lemuel Chenoweth, presented his two-part model at a contest before the Virginia Assembly in Richmond in order to win the contract to build it. Hauled over the mountains in two saddlebags, the model was strung between two chairs, and Chenoweth jumped up onto his "bridge" and dared other designers to do the same with their models.

Chenoweth built many bridges for Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. This stretch of road was Beverly-Fairmont Pike, eventually expanded to Wheeling-Staunton Pike. Because it followed the B&O Railroad, it was a strategic focus of North and South in the Civil War. The bridge housed soldiers and supplies for both sides, depending on who occupied Philippi at the time. With its double-barrel construction and its long span across the Tygart River, there was plenty of room inside!

One must admit that it’s the perfect bridge for this little town. With forests all around and old-time craftsmanship the pride of the area, perhaps Philippi will keep its bridge forever. Originally a Central European concept, covered bridges are an aesthetic complement to West Virginia’s ancient streams. More authentic, more attractive red poplar roofing shingles replaced the not-so-authentic green tarp, and Olivia Sue leans forward to confide, "We didn’t need that anyway." Artists who draw and paint it agree. Parks on both sides offer excellent views.