These 10 Covered Bridges in Pennsylvania Will Transport You Back In Time
Pennsylvania was one of the original 13 colonies before it became one of the first states in the U.S. As a result, many old structures, like covered bridges, dot the landscape in the Keystone State. In fact, Pennsylvania has the most covered bridges in the United States. Discover 10 covered bridges in Pennsylvania and find out their history and where they are located in the state!
1. Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge
Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge is one of many covered bridges in Pennsylvania located in Lancaster County. The bridge crosses the Conestoga River in East Earl. The structure is a double Burr arch truss design. It features a single span that stretches for 85 feet in total length, and the bridge is 15 feet wide. The bridge is painted red with white on the approach at either end.
2. Sachs Covered Bridge
Sach’s Covered Bridge has a few other names such as Waterworks Covered Bridge or Sauck’s Covered Bridge. The bridge is in Gettysburg, a famous town where Union and Confederate forces clashed during the Civil War. Union soldiers crossed this bridge on the way to the battle, and General Robert E. Lee’s forces retreated across the bridge following their defeat during the Battle of Gettysburg. This bridge crosses Marsh Creek. The structure is 100 feet long and 15.3 feet wide. This is one of the most famous covered bridges in Pennsylvania.
3. Adairs Covered Bridge
Adairs Covered Bridge is a wooden structure located in Perry County. The structure crosses Sherman Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The bridge is 150 feet long, and it is a Burr truss bridge. Like other bridges in Pennsylvania, the exterior of the structure is red.
4. Baumgardner’s Mill Covered Bridge
Baumgardner’s Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge in Martic Township, Pennsylvania. Since the bridge is maintained by Lancaster County, the other name for the structure is Pequea #10 Bridge. The structure passes over Pequea Creek. Baumgardner’s Mill Covered Bridge is 120 feet long, 11.5 feet high, and 14 feet wide. The structure first opened in 1860. Like other Lancaster County covered bridges, the structure is painted red for its span and white on the approaches.
5. Davis Covered Bridge
Davis Covered Bridge is a Burr truss bridge in Cleveland Township, a northeastern settlement in Columbia Township. The bridge is 87.1 feet long, and it first opened in 1850. The bridge crosses another tributary of the Susquehanna River, the North Branch of Roaring Creek. The structure has a clearance of 9 feet.
6. Millmont Red Bridge
Millmont Red Bridge is a Burr truss bridge that crosses Penns Creek in Union County. The structure is 131 feet long. The bridge opened in 1855, and the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania nominated this structure to the National Historic Landmarks in 1980. Although people could drive across the bridge in the past, the roadway is no longer open to vehicles. However, visitors can walk across the bridge if they desire.
7. Pinetown Covered Bridge
Pinetown Covered Bridge is another one of the covered bridges in Pennsylvania in Lancaster County. This structure goes by many names, including Pinetown Bushong’s Mill Covered Bridge as well as the Big Conestoga #6 Bridge. This structure is a double Burr truss bridge. A man named Elias McMellen built the bridge in 1867, but it was severely damaged in 1972 during Hurricane Agnes.
The bridge was restored in 1973, and the builders included modifications to prevent damage from similar flooding events. This bridge measures 133 feet long and 12 feet 10 inches wide. The bridge crosses the Conestoga River.
8. Schlicher Covered Bridge
Schlicher Covered Bridge opened in 1882 near Allentown in Lehigh County. The structure is a Burr truss design, and it measures 108 feet long. The original bridge was closed to traffic in 2009. A new replica of this bridge opened in 2014, increasing the width and length of the structure. The bridge passes over Jordan Creek
9. South Perkasie Covered Bridge
South Perkasie Covered Bridge first opened in 1832, making it the oldest bridge in Bucks County. The structure is a wooden bridge in a town truss style. Originally, the bridge crossed Pleasant Spring Creek. However, the bridge was moved in 1958, and it is now in Lenape Park. The structure
10. Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge
Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge is a Burr arch truss bridge near Brownstown in Lancaster County. A man named Henry Zook built the bridge in 1849. The structure goes by other names such as Wenger Covered Bridge or Cocalico #7 Bridge. Lancaster County officials manage this structure. The bridge is 74 feet long, and it passes Cocalico Creek.
These are just some of the covered bridges in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State has more covered bridges than any other state in the country. Anyone who loves these quaint structures should certainly get a map of them and hit the road. To be fair, such travelers will spend a lot of time in Lancaster County.
Summary of the Covered Bridges in Pennsylvania
Rank | Covered Bridge | |
---|---|---|
1. | Weaver’s Mill Bridge | East Earl |
2. | Sachs Covered Bridge | Gettysburg |
3. | Adairs Covered Bridge | Madison Township |
4. | Baumgardner’s Mill Covered Bridge | Martic Township |
5. | Davis Covered Bridge | Cleveland Township |
6. | Millmont Red Bridge | Hartley Township |
7. | Pinetown Covered Bridge | Lancaster |
8. | Schlicher Covered Bridge | Allentown |
9. | South Perkasie Covered Bridge | Perkasie |
10. | Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge | Lancaster |