Pennsylvania Covered Bridges

If anyone has any information about restorations or destructions of any of the covered bridges in Pennsylvania please email me.

I will accept photos from any person of any Pennsylvania covered bridge that are not displayed here. I would also like to have any up dated photos of any of the bridges I have on my site. I will give credit to the individual if I use the photo. Please send photos in 8X10, jpeg and 150 resolutions

"Update on Sullivan County Covered Bridges that made it through tropical Irene in August 2011"

In August 2011 a flood hit Sullivan County like no other, they called it the 500 year flood. This storm produced rain like I have never seen in my lifetime. In Sullivan County the waters destroyed everything in its path, small villages were literally swept away with the water. I watched from the safety of my home on top of a mountain, and only could feel relief in the fact that my family and I were safe from what was going on around us. At the time I was not thinking of the condition of the covered bridges, but of those families that were a part of this devastation . During all this turmoil the news was constantly telling people to keep out of the area so that emergency personnel could accomplish the work at hand. I chose not to pick up my camera and photograph these poor victims that were trying to cope with what was at hand. I hold nothing against those newspaper photographers that were out there gathering photos and news and photos to keep us the public informed. What irritated me most were those people with their point and shoot cameras (snap shots only) that posted washed out photos all over the web. I have no idea what they were trying to prove. other than how they got in the way of people trying to do their jobs in an emergency situation. I waited three months, until all roads were clear for travel and decided to photograph what was left to the bridges. It really surprised me of what I found with the three bridges that went through the worse storm ever in Sullivan County. I visited Sonestown, Forksville and Hillsgrove Covered Bridges, all of which cross Loyalsock Creek. This river reeked havoc from its headwaters to its mouth, but I think you will be surprised by the photos of how these three old timers stood the test of time and Mother Nature. There is work to be done on two of the bridges, Forksville made it with out a scratch, there was not much timber that was unearthed in the vicinity, but lower down the stream Hillsgrove took the breast of flood water, log after log battered her sides and tore open the sides, but she stood as my photos will attest to. I do believe what saved Hillsgrove was the fact a refurbish was completed July 2011 and really stabilized the bridge. The following photos were taken November 28, 2011.

Hillsgrove Covered Bridge, looking west at the left side of the bridge, the logs ripped the siding off going through the bridge. I found one log still protruding through its right side when I walked across the bridge. I have no doubt that this structure will be repaired in the near future.

(GPS N41 27.65 W76 40.25)
(#38-57-02)
The bridge is located on Twp. Rt. 357 (Covered Bridge Road) Go north on Rt. 87, midway between Hillsgrove and Forksville in Elkland Twp, the br spans Loyalsock creek. It was built in 1850 using the Burr Arch design. The builder was Sadler Rogers. The structure is owned and maintained by the county. It is 163 feet long and 18 feet wide. This bridge is in excellent condition and is used daily by vehicle traffic.

Sonestown Covered Bridge really has major work that must be done. This bridge had been closed to traffic for more than two years before Irene hit because of the wash out of the road across the creek. I can not imagine how this Old Girl with stood the hammering of the flood water that hit her. I was told that one log came down the creek and actually lifted the bridge up and when it came down it buckled in the middle. I really could not find buckling on the floor when I crossed it. My one photo shows how they had to brace the bridge on one side with cut railway ties. It still amazes me that this bridge stood this turmoil, that alone says she should survive to enjoy for future generations.

(GPS N41 20.77 W76 33.30)
(#38-57-03)
Location of the bridge is on Twp. Rt. 310, Champion Hill road. The bridge is approx. 2 miles east of jct. Pa. 412 on Rt. 220 just off to the right. The bridge was built in 1850 using the Burr Arch design. This bridge is in excellent condition and maintained by the county. The bridge spans Muncy creek, it is 110 feet long and the width is 15 feet. The builder is unknown.. The structure is closed to daily vehicle traffic

"A New Look at an old Bridge"
Moreland Covered Bridge, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

MORELAND TOWNSHIP - Lycoming County's historic covered bridge in Moreland Township has received its final grant installment that completed its renovation this past December. A reimbursement agreement with was made with the State Department of Transportation so the county could receive state and federal funds to complete the covered bridge.

The County Commissioners approved a grant with the state to allow the county to receive about $100,000. That brings about $1.3 million to the amount of state and federal funds spent to renovate the bridge, which spans Little Muncy Creek in the township.

According to the county's transportation planner, Mark Murawski, the cost of the renovation, which began early last fall, was covered entirely by state and federal funds. However, due to flooding in September, there were some setbacks.

Lycoming Supply performed the work on the bridge which included the installation of a new foundation, new flooring, new side boards and a metal roof. If the new infrastructure hadn't been in place, the bridge would have been lost for sure in last September's flooding stated Murawski. About two-thirds of the structure had already been replaced. Only the bridge trusses are original. "A lot of the debris was left upstream. If left unchecked, this would have washed down the stream, pushed the bridge and destroyed it," Murawski said. Fortunately, the stream channel was improved by putting in a large rock which anchored the stream embankment on the east side so it won't erode the foundation walls. This will also protect the bridge from future flooding.

The bridge was built in 1888, and by the time work began on it last year, it was in serious disrepair. The bridge is one of only about 150 still standing in the state. The bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, may be in better condition than when it first was built. Two other bridges nearby were restored previously, one is in Buttonwood and the other one is in Buckhorn.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the bridges since they are historic landmarks.

GPS N41 12.37 W76 38.24)
(#38-41-03)
Moreland bridge (also known as Fraser bridge) is tucked nicely away down a country road just outside of the village of Lairdsville. It is located on T660 then to Dairy farm road. Follow Dairy farm rd. .8 miles then left onto Covered Bridge road.
Built in 1888 of the Burr Arch design and a structure length of 186 feet spanning Little Muncy creek, this bridge is in good condition, the bridge is open to traffic, as of 2002 with just a turn around. The bridge is nestled in a small valley with scenic mountains on all sides, you can drift back in time just sitting on the bridge and looking to the beautiful landscape

Click here for photos of the old bridge

Click here to see photos of the new bridge

All photographs have been taken by Len Sherlinski unless otherwise indicated.