The Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site in Monroe County, Missouri, is maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as a state historic site to preserve the Union covered bridge. The bridge was built in 1871 across the Elk Fork of the Salt River as a link in the Paris-to-Fayette road. Its name comes from the nearby Union Church. In 1968 a partial restoration was completed using materials from the Mexico Covered Bridge, which flood waters had destroyed the previous year. In 1970 the Union bridge was closed after structural timbers were damaged by overweight trucks. A total restoration was completed in 1988. The bridge was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.PutUnion Covered Bridge State Historic Site into our Paris route maker app and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.
The bridge is a 120-foot-long (37 m) Burr Arch span that is 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) wide and 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Joseph C. Elliot built the bridge in 1871 from local oak. It is sided in clapboard and uses wood shingles. Two earlier uncovered bridges at this site were replaced in turn due to deterioration.
Some siding was removed as an emergency measure in 2008 when the bridge was threatened by severe flooding. Removal of the lowest siding allowed the stream to flow freely through the understructure of the bridge, thus sparing it the full force of the current. The bridge was saved, and was fully restored in 2019.
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Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site reviews
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This is a beautiful structure and well preserved through restoration efforts. It is not far off the main highway and easily accessible as you park very near the structure. The bridge can be walked...
This is a beautiful structure and well preserved through restoration efforts. It is not far off the main highway and easily accessible as you park very near the structure. The bridge can be walked... more »
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There are only four covered bridges left in Missouri and this is one of them. Quite a bit off the beaten path but it's a lovely site to experience some local history. There is an informative display..... more
There are only four covered bridges left in Missouri and this is one of them. Quite a bit off the beaten path but it's a lovely site to experience some local history. There is an informative display..... more »
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Well worth the drive
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It's well worth the trip about 50 minutes out there from New London off highway 61 beautiful Big Creek flowing underneath the covered bridge the sound of the water so beautiful the birds are singing if you ever want to see a covered bridge this is it in this area of Missouri
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