Overview of Covered Bridges of Pennsylvania

Trying to find things to do during the Covid19, can be a bit difficult as staying at home can be a drag but avoiding people is very important at this time. So, I have become creative about it. Hiking, going to see waterfalls, and now Covered Bridges of Pennsylvania and areas around me.

Because you can only hike when the weather is nice and your legs are not killing you from the 10 miles from the day prior. I found a new thing which is driving around looking at Covered Bridges on hot or slightly damp days, i.e. possibility of rain but most likely not.

This means that I am the only one in the car. I stop for gas or the bathroom which is my only time that I am around people. Once in a blue moon, I will order food and have the pizza delivered to me outside in my vehicle.

But this is a great little driving trips with areas to walk around. Plus I have water, sodas, and a nice picnic in the vehicle with me so I am limiting my contact with others.

I will be posting a new tail of my travel to different Covered Bridges on Wednesdays for a bit, i.e. a few months.

I will be starting in Washington Country which has 25 Covered Bridges. I will be breaking that up into at least a few posts as so much information for one post. But I had a lot of fun on the three trips that I have taken so far to see them.

Important Things to Know or Bring with You

First, make sure that you have at least 3/4 tank of gas before you start at the first bridge of the day. If you go under a half a tank and see a gas station, then top off. Most of the bridges are in out of the way places and gas stations are hard to find plus getting lost will happen.

Second, printed a map or directions to the Covered Bridges you plan to see that day. The GPS, internet, and cell service are limited in many of the areas where the bridges are. I keep having to back track my first day out due to not having a plan.

Third, make sure you have water, drinks, and/or snacks. As gas stations are limited, so are restaurants. I have a small cooler for water and other drinks. Plus I tend to bring a picnic with me.

Fourth, look around as you drive. Lots of the bridges are around historical places that are cool to look at even if you can’t go in, i.e. I found a school that was started in 1810 and a Fort that was open to the public.

Five, weather matters. If it is snowing, icy, or raining hard; then this is not the time to go as some of the roads are gravel or dirt or you have to back up because you are on a one lane road. Plus you can’t get out to walk across the bridges.

Six, take a family member and have twice the fun. But if you are taking children, make sure you have them get out and take walks because it can be a long ride with cranky kids.

Seven, bathrooms are not at every Covered Bridges and as gas stations and restaurants are hard to find along the way. Use them when you see them.

Eight, respect that many of the bridges are along private property. Be respectfully! Don’t litter! And park in areas that will not be effected by your getting out of the cars, i.e. don’t stop on the Covered Bridge and get out because the locals may want to get home and/or to work.

Nine, it is not a race but a nice ride in the country. Part of visiting is enjoying the ride and looking at the country side. Therefore, drive slow and let the locals pass when you can. Bring tunes as the radio can have some interesting stations. lol

Ten, think about a hotel/motel/camping for a night or two. Make a weekend out of it or more. It will give you a mini holiday with all this Covid19 going around.

Misc Facts and History of Covered Bridges

It is estimated that the world has around 1,600 covered bridges. Pennsylvania has just under 200 or about 12.5% of the world Covered Bridges. In addition, it is estimated only about 800 Covered Bridges are in the United States which about 25% are in Pennsylvania.

The first Covered Bridge in the United States was the Permanent Bridge over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia around 1805. Over 14,000 Covered Bridges where build in the United States but mostly between 1825 and 1875.

Many of the Covered Bridges in Pennsylvania are over 150 years old. They are the ones that have survived nature, arsonist, age, and/or progress.

After the Civil War, Covered Bridges started being replaced by iron bridges across the country. But Pennsylvanian loved their Covered Bridges, called “Kissing Bridges” because young couples would kiss in them, and kept making them even as they were the leading steel makers in the country.

Covered Bridges are a timber-truss bridge which are almost completely enclosed to last longer, i.e. non covered bridges lifespans are about 20 years but Covered Bridges generally last about 100 years. Most are only single-lane but some are as large as three-lane.

Today, many of the Covered Bridges have metal roofs to protect the wooden structures below. Plus many of the bridges have been moved to lower traffic areas to protect them. (It can be a hair raising to find them on the back one lane roads.)

Patented in 1817, Burr Truss is the most popular design as the design uses an arch to hold the weight. But King, Queen, Lattice, and Howe trusses are also used.

The oldest surviving Covered Bridge is the Chapel Bridge in Kapellbrucke, Switzerland which was build in the 1700’s. The Chapel Bridge has a tower in the middle which was used as a prison, torture chamber, and a local treasury. Today, it is used as a tourist gift shop.