Perry County has a tremendous number of covered bridges with fourteen of them in all. The region has taken tremendous initiative in preserving these historic spans. Seven of the covered bridges are within a few miles of each other along Sherman Creek, between the Tuscarora and Blue Mountains. The land between the mountains is filled with woods, farm land, Sherman Creek, covered bridges, and views of the mountains. It is absolutely beautiful country.
Rice/Landisburg Bridge
Constructed in 1869
Burr Truss with two Queenposts
132 feet long and 18 feet wide
Crosses Sherman Creek
The Rice/Landisburg Bridge is the first that we visited on this trip, and it is probably my favorite. The section of Sherman Creek that is crosses is a popular fishing hole, with fly fisherman pulling out trout, even on a cold January day. It is located just down the road from Landisburg, a charming and historic little borough.
The combination of Burr Truss and Queenpost construction is pretty rare. Steel beams have been used to supplement the original structure, instead of serving as a replacement of sorts.
Waggoner Covered Bridge/Roddy's Mill Covered Bridge/Thompson Bridge
Constructed in 1889
Burr Truss
84 feet long and 17 feet wide
Crosses Bixler Creek
Waggoner's Covered Bridge is privately owned, and as is often the case in this situation, it is in poor shape. There is no really good place to pull off to see it and you cannot walk up to it, since it is on private property. It is a pretty bridge in a gorgeous setting, and is worth glancing over at while you are checking out the multitude of beautifully maintained and public covered bridges within 5-10 minutes of the location.
Adair/Cisma Mill Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1864, rebuilt in 2007
Burr Truss
150 feet long and 14 feet wide
Crosses Sherman Creek
While Rice Bridge was my favorite overall bridge in the county, Adair Covered Bridge was my favorite to photograph. The picturesque setting, with the bridge, creek, and surrounding farmland, really stuck out with this bridge. Simply stunning in every way.
Bistline/Flickinger's Mill Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1880 and rehabilitated in 2008
Burr Truss
103 feet long and 13 feet and eight inches wide
Crosses Sherman Creek
Bistline Covered Bridge is another gorgeously rehabilitated bridge. This one feels more remote than the others, being located more deeply in the woods. The setting and the bridge are so beautiful.
Enslow Bridge
Constructed in 1904
Burr Truss
110 feet long and 16 feet wide
Crosses Sherman's Creek
It is easy to see in these pictures the how bucolic the settings are around these covered bridges. Enslow is no exception. I like when the paint also starts to get more weathered. It adds character to the bridges, though a freshly painted bridge is impressive as well.
Note the adjacent creek crossing. I presume that is for larger farming vehicles that the bridge cannot accommodate.
Book's/Kaufman Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1884 and Rebuilt in ?
Burr Truss
70 feet long and 17 feet wide
Crosses Sherman's Creek
Book's Covered Bridge is a gorgeous span. In 2003, the original covered bridge structure on this site had collapsed into the creek. The county and region takes their heritage seriously when it comes to covered bridges, and a community effort was put into place to rebuild this bridge. After the Dellville Covered Bridge succumbed to arson on the other side of the county, the community has begun the work of rebuilding that bridge as well. The community's care for their covered bridges really blew me away.
The Burr Arch construction of the bridge, showing off the new lumber they used to rebuild the bridge. Such an impressive span.
Mt. Pleasant Bridge
Constructed in 1918
Kingpost Construction
60 feet long and 17 feet and nine inches wide
Crosses Sherman's Creek
You see a common theme with the beauty around here, with the bridge and creek being surrounded by farms and mountains. The setting here is so beautiful. This bridge is in excellent shape.
Note the Kingpost Construction
New Germantown Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1891
Kingpost and Queenpost Construction
74 feet long and 12 feet wide
Crosses Sherman's Creek
Perry County's covered bridges are amazing and you should definitely check them out sometime.