Where to See Old Historic Covered Bridges

America's Covered Bridges: Timeless Landmarks of Engineering and Romance

Scattered across the American landscape, covered bridges stand as enduring symbols of 19th-century ingenuity, local craftsmanship, and a slower-paced era. These distinctive wooden structures, with their enclosed sides and peaked roofs, once numbered in the thousands but now represent a dwindling architectural heritage that communities nationwide are working to preserve.

At their peak in the 1850s, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 covered bridges spanned rivers and creeks across the United States. Today, fewer than 900 remain, with only a fraction still open to vehicular traffic. These survivors offer modern travelers a tangible connection to America's rural past and the practical innovations that helped settle the continent.

The Engineering Behind the Romance

The iconic covered design that gives these bridges their charm wasn't merely aesthetic. The roof and walls served a crucial practical purpose: protecting the wooden trusses and deck from the elements. Exposed to rain, snow, and sun, an uncovered wooden bridge might last only 10 to 15 years. The covering extended that lifespan to 80 years or more, making the additional construction cost a sound investment.

Bridge builders developed various truss designs to distribute weight efficiently across the span. The Burr arch truss, patented in 1804 by Theodore Burr, combined an arch with a truss system and became one of the most popular designs. Other common styles included the Town lattice truss, the Howe truss, and the Long truss, each named for its inventor and each representing a different solution to the challenge of spanning water with wood.

The bridges earned romantic nicknames over time. Some called them "kissing bridges" because courting couples could steal a private moment in the enclosed passage. Others knew them as "wishing bridges," where tradition held that making a wish while holding your breath through the crossing would bring good fortune.

Where History Still Stands

Several states have emerged as strongholds for covered bridge preservation, offering enthusiasts the chance to step back in time.

Pennsylvania leads the nation with approximately 200 covered bridges, the most of any state. Lancaster County alone hosts 28 covered spans, many still carrying traffic through picturesque Amish farmland. The state's geographic diversity means bridges appear in settings ranging from mountain hollows to rolling agricultural valleys.

Ohio follows with around 140 covered bridges, concentrated heavily in the southeastern counties. Ashtabula County in the northeast corner claims to be the covered bridge capital of Ohio with 17 bridges, including some of the longest single-span covered bridges in the United States.

Vermont, despite its small size, preserves more than 100 covered bridges, the highest number per square mile of any state. The state's commitment to preservation means many bridges remain functional parts of the transportation network. The Cornish-Windsor Bridge, spanning the Connecticut River between Vermont and New Hampshire, holds the distinction of being the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States at 449 feet.

Indiana maintains roughly 90 covered bridges, with Parke County earning the title "Covered Bridge Capital of the World" by hosting 31 spans. The county celebrates this heritage each October with a ten-day festival that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to tour the bridges and surrounding countryside.

Other states with notable covered bridge populations include Oregon with approximately 50 bridges, New Hampshire with around 55, and New York with about 30 remaining structures.

Preservation Challenges and Triumphs

The survival of these historic structures requires constant vigilance and community commitment. Floods, fires, and vehicle strikes pose ongoing threats. In recent years, several historic bridges have been lost to arson, including Oregon's Hayden Covered Bridge in 2016 and Pennsylvania's Frankstown Road Bridge in 2023.

However, preservation efforts have yielded remarkable successes. Modern engineering assessments help determine which bridges can safely carry traffic and which should be retired to pedestrian use. Some communities have relocated threatened bridges to parks or heritage sites where they can be protected and appreciated. Others have undertaken painstaking restoration projects, using traditional timber-framing techniques to maintain historical authenticity while incorporating modern safety features.

State and local historical societies often maintain detailed inventories and driving tours, making it easier for visitors to explore multiple bridges in a region. Many bridges now appear on the National Register of Historic Places, providing some measure of protection and recognition of their historical significance.

Planning Your Visit

For those interested in experiencing these architectural time capsules, the autumn months offer particularly rewarding visits. Fall foliage provides a spectacular backdrop for photography, and several regions host covered bridge festivals celebrating local history and craftsmanship.

Most covered bridges remain on rural back roads, making them ideal destinations for scenic drives. However, visitors should remember that many still serve as working bridges on public roads. Observing posted weight limits, driving slowly, and pulling completely off the roadway for photographs ensures both safety and preservation of these fragile structures.

Whether you're drawn by historical interest, architectural appreciation, or simply the romance of a bygone era, America's covered bridges offer a unique window into the nation's past. Each bridge tells a story of the community that built it, the families who crossed it, and the determination of those who work to ensure these remarkable structures survive for future generations.