NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1971 SESSION

CHAPTER 959

SENATE BILL 343

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE ACCESS TO AND MAINTENANCE OF BUNKER HILL COVERED BRIDGE IN CATAWBA COUNTY.

Whereas, Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, constructed about 1895 by Andrew L. Ramsour, is one of only four surviving historic covered bridges in North Carolina and is the only one maintained for and dedicated to unrestricted public education and enjoyment; and

Whereas, said bridge near U.S. 64 and 70 in Catawba County is one of perhaps only two surviving covered bridges in the United States built according to the Haupt truss design and, as such, constitutes an important historic property that should be protected, preserved, and made accessible to the public, its importance having been recognized by the entry of the bridge on the National Register of Historic Places; and

Whereas, the Catawba County Historical Association, the State Highway Commission, and the State Department of Archives and History, working cooperatively, have undertaken to preserve the bridge; and

Whereas, there is great need for improved access to the bridge from Connor Park and for continued restoration and preservation of this remarkable structure; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated to the State Department of Archives and History for the restoration and preservation of and access paths to the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge in Catawba County the sum of $2,300 for the fiscal year 1971-72 and the sum of $2,300 for the fiscal year 1972-73.

Sec. 2.  This act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 19th day of July, 1971.