My very short rendition of the rules for determining the category of a covered bridge:

1. Authentic: For a bridge to be authentic, it must be at least 12’ long, be across something, have a truss, & its purpose is to carry cars across that something. These bridges will be denoted with a numeric 3^rd digit set [eg 01-02-03].
2. Romantic Shelter: Romantic shelters have be at least 12’ long & be across something. These bridges will be denoted with an alpha 3^rd digit set [eg 01-02-a].
3. OCBI: Those CBs not fitting into authentic or romantic shelter category are ocbi. These bridges will be denoted with a left parenthesis-alpha 3^rd digit set [eg 01-02-(a]. Also includes:
   1. Concrete & Steel construction.
   2. Connected to a building on one or both ends.

When you send me a picture of a CB, I need enough information about it to be able to determine which category to place it in. Without that determination, the picture just sits in a “hopefully someday” directory until I can get the required information to determine its category. Then I will send the information to the NSPCB for an official number. Please include the date the picture was taken and who gets credit for the photo.

I will put an entry on my list indicating there is a CB, but there will be no information on the list. So, if you only have the location information, send as much as you can and if I can get it on the list, maybe someone someday will stop by and be able to talk to the owner & the required information for the bridge.

Questions? E-mail