NEWS

Fair's covered bridge being dismantled for move

Spencer Remoquillo
Reporter

LANCASTER - The covered bridge that collapsed in an April windstorm won't greet fairgoers this upcoming fair season as it has for the past 44 years.

"We have worked out an agreement with the Fairfield County Historical Parks," Fair Manager Dave Benson said. "We are releasing the Roley Covered Bridge to them."

Damaging winds caused the 117-year-old bridge to collapse April 2, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Before the windstorm, the bridge had a visible lean and some evidence of rotting wood in the structure.

Construction crews from Shaw and Holter Inc. began dismantling the bridge on Monday, starting with its roof. Benson said the estimated cost to dismantle the bridge and move the materials to a storage area is $20,000. He said he hopes insurance will cover part of the disassembly, adding that the high cost of repairing the bridge is the main reason the historical parks commission is taking it over.

"The Agricultural Society can't afford it," he said. "It will stay in Fairfield County and Lancaster and be put to good use by the community."

The Roley School House Covered Bridge, built in 1899, will be moved to Sensory Park over Fetter's Run.

"We have a home for it, but we don't have the funds," said Fairfield County Historical Parks Commission Director Dave Fey, adding that there will be a major fundraising effort to reassemble and repair the bridge.

The cost for the project is undetermined, but Fey said action should be taken quickly. Even though the material will be under cover, Fey said moisture remains a problem.

"It's not good to leave structures lying for too long," he said.

The bridge, which spans 45 feet, originally stood across the Ohio Canal in Baltimore and later over Paw Paw Creek in Baltimore. Since the bridge was moved to the fairgrounds in 1972, it has become a landmark for fairgoers.

The bridge was moved from its original location next to the Roley School House around 1916.

There are 18 original covered bridges on either private or public land in the county.

On Monday, Fey announced another project, saying he hopes to bring that number to 19 original covered bridges with the move of the Mary Ruffner Covered Bridge. That bridge originally was positioned on Gun Barrel Road until it was moved to private land in Perry County in 1982. The parks commission will be given the bridge at no cost, but will have to pay for its removal.

The Mary Ruffner bridge likely will be placed over Sycamore Creek at Zeller's Park in Violet Township.

There is no estimated cost for that project either, but Fey said the historical parks commission will begin a combined fundraising effort for both the Roley School House and Mary Ruffner bridges.

The goal is to have a plan or commitment by the end of summer in regards to both projects.

Anyone interested in donating to either or both of the covered bridge projects can send donations to the historical parks office at 407 E. Main St. Fey asked that donors mark which project their funds should be used for.

sremoquill@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRemo