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Covered bridges have been an integral part in

America’s history and growth. There are almost 200 of

them still being used and maintained for their

historical value. Since it first appeared in the early

19th century, these bridges have helped define the

towns that built them by connecting village folks to

services and infrastructures and directly connecting

communities together.

Built for practical and functional reasons, covered

bridges have become important pieces of history and

are registered as such in the National Register of

Historic Places. These days, modern bridges have been

built using concrete and steel but old covered bridges

still are considered to be more artistic and charming.

The following are the most popular among old covered

bridges that has maintained its rustic and historic

charm.

1. The Bridge of Sighs

Built by Henry Hutchinson, this famous bridge belongs

to Cambridge University and can be found in St John’s

College. It was built in 1831 and connects the

college’s Third Court with the New Court and crosses

over the River Cam. This gained popularity because of

the pranks played by some students by dangling a car

under the bridge. It was also named after the Bridge

of Sighs in Venice, Italy but the two bridges have

very little in common when it comes to their

architecture.

2. Bitzer’s Mill Covered Bridge

One of the oldest bridge still in use and enjoyed by

the townspeople. It is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

This bridge is owned by the county and is maintained

using public money because of its historic value. It

was built by George Fink and Sam Reamsnyder in 1846

and it only cost $1,115 dollars to put up the bridge.

It has been called many names like Martin’s Mill

Bridge, Eberly’s Cider Mill Covered Bridge, and

Fiand’s/Fiantz’s Covered Bridge but its official

designation is Big Conestoga number 2 Bridge.

3. Bucher’s Mill Covered Bridge

Considered as the second shortest covered bridge in

America at 54 feet from one side to the other, this

historic piece is very popular among tourists. Just

like most covered bridge in the registry of historic

places, it is owned and maintained using public funds.

It was built in 1891 by Elias McMellen using only a

single span of wooden truss. The building of the

bridge only cost him $1,167. But when it was destroyed

due to heavy flooding a year after it was built,

McMellen rebuilt it for $1,025 -$142 cheaper than the

original cost.

4. Hunsecker’s Mill Covered Bridge

Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United

States. It is the longest single span covered bridge

in the county at 180 feet long. It spans the Conestoga

River and has been destroyed and rebuilt for number of

times. The most recent being in 1972 when it was

destroyed by Hurricane Agnes. It was built in 1843 by

John Russell and it cost him around $1,988. When it

was last rebuilt, the cost came to about $321,302.

Though one of the most popular bridges in America, it

is sadly not registered as a historic place because

aside from the design, none of its original materials

were used on its reconstruction.

5. Schenk’s Mill Covered Bridge

Found in Pennsylvania, this covered bridge crosses the

Big Chiques Creek in Lancaster County. Built on a

single span Burr arch truss, this historic landmark is

painted red and is mainly made of oak. Red is the

traditional color of Lancaster County and most bridges

follow a red motif. It was added to the National

Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was built by

friends Charles Malhorn and Levi Fink in 1855, and has

since been and important landmark in the county,

remembered by tourists for its unforgettable color and

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