Fifteen of these stoic reminders of the area’s rich Dutch Heritage dot the pristine country side. Also known as “kissing bridges” PA Dutch tradition holds that kissing your sweetheart while passing through a covered bridge brings good luck.
To receive a free covered bridge trail guide contact the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau 877-PA PULSE
Description: Built in 1886 (builder unknown), the 55 foot long by 15 foot wide bridge has an interior height of 12 feet. Planking is 2 ½ inches by 13 inches. A kingpost/queenpost truss single span bridge was later by-passed by the highway and is now privately owned. (For a close-up view, ask permission before crossing onto the private property).
Location: Liverpool Township, privately-owned bridge.
Description: Built by Yohn & Ritter in 1887 and featuring Burr arch truss construction, Fleisher’s Bridge is 125 feet long by 17 feet wide with an interior height of 11 feet 9 inches. It was reinforced in 1960 with two 30 foot I-beams to allow continued use. Planking is 2 inches by 14 feet. It has stone mortar abutments and parapets.
Location: Oliver Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Originally built in 1890 by George Harding across Little Buffalo Creek and rebuilt in 1959, the single span Burr truss bridge was moved in 1970 when the creek was dammed to form Holman Lake in the park. The 82 foot long by 15 foot wide Burr arch truss bridge with 2 ½ inch by 14 foot planking, now spans Furnace Run Branch of Little Buffalo Creek below the dam and is limited to foot traffic. It was damaged by a winter storm in 1994.
Location: Centre and Juniata Townships, owned by Little Buffalo State Park
Description: Built in 1991 by Martin General Builders of Liverpool, this stringer truss bridge, featuring window openings under the eaves, is 40 feet long by 14 feet wide, making is the shortest covered bridge in Perry County. Left in natural wood finish, it is also the only covered bridge in Perry County that is not red. This bridge is also the only toll bridge in the County; toll is a penny to a quarter. (Please ask for permission at the farm to walk to the bridge).
Location: Centre and Juniata Townships, owned by the Martin and Ettien Families.
Description: Built in 1919 by the Adair Brothers at a cost of $2,380, this single span kingpost & queenpost truss bridge is 72 feet long by 18 feet wide and has an interior height of 12 feet 6 inches. Planking is 2 ½ inches by 14 feet. This bridge spans Big Buffalo Creek and is no longer in use.
Location: Saville Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Built in 1903 by L.M. Wentzel, this Burr arch truss single span bridge is 60 feet long by 17 feet wide, with an interior height of 11 feet 5 inches. It is scheduled to be refurbished in the near future.
Location: Saville Township
Description: The New Germantown Bridge was built in 1891 by John W. Fry. This single span multiple kingpost with queenpost truss bridge is 74 feet long by 12 feet wide with an interior height of 13 feet 9 inches. Planking is 2 inches by 16 feet with the top layer of 16 feet laid lengthwise. It has stone and mortar wingwalls.
Location: Toboyne Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: The Mt. Pleasant Bridge is a single span kingpost/queenpost truss bridge. It was built in 1918 initially as a standard bridge. It was reconstructed as a covered bridge in 1918 by I.M. Wentzel. It has 3 inches by 15 feet planking and 60 inches between abutments and stone as well as mortar wingwalls. It is 60 feet by 17 feet 9 inches wide with an interior height of 12 feet 2 inches.
Location: Jackson Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Book’s Bridge was demolished in 2003 and was replaced with a replica in the summer of 2004. The original Burr arch truss bridge constructed in 1883 (builder unknown) had Burr arches sandwiched between multiple kingposts and was 70 feet long by 17 feet wide and had an interior height of 11 feet 5 inches. Planking was 2 inches by 14 feet. The steel I-beam reinforced replica is 2 feet wider, but still maintains the appearance of the original complete with a shingled roof.
Location: Jackson Township, owned by the State of Pennsylvania
Description: Enslow’s Bridge, a Burr arch truss bridge, crosses Sherman’s Creek. Also known as “Turkey Trail Bridge”, Enslow’s Bridge was built in 1904, and was repaired in 1997 after Hurricane Fran damaged it in 1996. It is 110 feet long by 16 feet 11 inches wide with an interior height of 11 feet 10 inches. It has stone and mortar wingwalls.
Location: Jackson Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Also known as “Flickinger Mills Bridge”, this single span Burr truss bridge was built in 1871 (builder unknown). The structure has Burr arches sandwiched between multiple kingposts and it is 96 feet long by 13 feet 6 inches wide and has an interior height of 11 feet 7 inches. Planking is 2 inches by 16 feet with the top planking laid diagonally. Reinforced in 1919 with steel I-beams, the bridge is scheduled to be refurbished in the near future.
Location: Madison Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Adair’s Bridge, also known as “Cisna Mills Bridge” or “Cisna Run Bridge”, crosses Sherman’s Creek. The other “Bridge of Madison Township”, Adair’s Bridge was built in 1864 (builder unknown) and is the oldest bridge in Perry County. Planking is 3 inch boards laid crosswise. Reinforced with Steel I-beams in 1919, this Burr arch truss bridge, 150 feet long by 14 feet 3 inches wide and an interior height of 11 feet 4 inches, is scheduled to be refurbished in the near future.
Location: Madison Township, owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Description: This single Burr Arch truss bridge was built in 1889 by Joseph D. Lightner. Limited to foot traffic, the bridge is 84 feet long by 17 feet wide with an interior height of 12 feet 6 inches. Planking is 3 inches by 15 feet. The site was home to the Waggoner’s Mill (old grist mill and dam). The Bridge is on private property.
Location: Tyrone Township, privately owned and preserved by the Perry County Historical Society.
Description: Rice’s Bridge was originally constructed in 1869 by a local Perry Countian, Zachary Rice, and crosses Sherman’s Creek. Also known as “Landisburg Bridge”, this Burr arch and queenpost truss bridge is 132 feet long by 18 feet wide with an interior height of 11 feet 5 inches. It features window openings under the eaves. Floor length is 124 inches and the planking is 2 inches by 16 feet. The original structure was most unusual with single Burr arches sandwiched with multiple kingposts and two queenpost trusses overlaying 2 spans; each queenpost rests on the center pier and the Burr arches rest on abutments. There were two windows on each side. The Bridge was reconstructed in 2003 and was not rebuilt for heavy traffic.
Location: Tyrone Township, owned by Perry County.
Description: Built in 1889 by Andrew Clouser, this 174 feet long, 20 feet wide, 11 feet 10 inches interior height, Burr arch truss bridge with window openings under the eaves, is both the longest and widest covered bridge in Perry County. Planking is 2 inches by 16 feet. It has stone and mortar wingwalls. Originally single span, a center pier was added in 1932 and steel I-beams in 1957. The Delville Bridge was rebuilt in 1973 by Stephen J. Esh after it was damaged by Hurricane Agnes and flooding in 1972 and again repaired in 1997 after Hurricane Fran damage in 1996.
Location: Wheatfield Township, owned by Perry County.
