Half school bus, half covered bridge.

The Fascination with Covered Bridges

There is something classically "American" about the covered bridge.  The scenery of a creek with a classic wooden covered bridge crossing it is peak Americana. So why do we associate these rural bridges with classic America?

Most covered bridges were built from 1820 to 1900, making these old bridges more than 100 years old.  Ancestral Findings say the reason these bridges were "covered" in the first place was to make the bridges last longer:

The covering on the bridge is designed to actually protect the bridge and extend its lifespan. This is because uncovered wooden bridges usually only last about twenty years before needing to be repaired or replaced, while covered wooden bridges can last as long as a century before any work needs to be done on them.

As with most things from the past, over the years we've seen the number of covered bridges in the United States dwindle from 12,000 at one point to less than 1,000 standing today.  You can read more about the fascinating history of covered bridges, here.

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Is This America's Most Unique Covered Bridge?

When you think of a covered bridge, a wooden building that may have somewhat of a barn-style look to it is probably what comes to mind.  What doesn't come to mind, however, is probably a school bus, but one Kentucky trail is home to a half-school bus, half-bridge.

Half Schoolbus Half Covered Bridge

Located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, is the Prestonsburg Rail Trail.  This trail is fairly new; it opened in August 2020 it occupies a former CSX railroad bed.  The asphalt path is covered by a canopy of trees, making it mostly shaded with pockets of sky views.

What makes this trail especially unique, however, is the former school bus that has been turned into a bridge.  It's quite wild-looking and is a popular photo spot along the trail! So what do you think?  Is this the most unique covered bridge in the country?