June 14, 2016 – Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

This is the third leg of my covered bridge tour. Courtesy of Discover Lancaster, they have mapped out the driving tour. This tour includes seven bridges and is called Scenic Parks & Preserves. This will bring the total to 17 bridges in one day. There are 25 covered bridges in Lancaster County divided up into five self driving tours. I completed three out of the five. I can truly say that I was covered bridged out by the end of the day. Below I will list the name of the bridge along with some basic info and some images. Some bridges were easier to photograph than others. I couldn’t always get the ideal angle for a good shot. For more detailed information about the bridges please visit Lancaster County Bridge Map.

Willow Hill Covered Bridge is located off U.S. Route 30 that spans Miller’s Run (which flows into Mill Creek a tributary of the Conestoga River). The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on the outside. The inside is unpainted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The bridge is in good condition and wasn’t open to daily traffic when I visited it. Click on the ensuing images to enlarge.

Leaman Place Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek and is also known as Eshelman’s Mill Covered Bridge and Paradise Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The length of the structure is 113 feet and the width is 15 feet, it is in good condition and open to all traffic.

Herr’s Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek and is also sometimes known as Soudersburg Bridge. The bridge has a double span, wooden, double Burr arch truss design. It is painted red on the outside, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The length is 178 feet and the width is 15 feet, this bridge is blocked off and admits no traffic at all. The bridge is in poor condition.

Lime Valley Covered Bridge or Strasburg Bridge spans Pequea Creek. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The bridge is 103 feet long and 15 feet wide, the structure is open to daily traffic.

Colemanville Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek and is also referred to as the Martic Forge Covered Bridge and Pequea #12 Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted red with white trim. The length is 170 feet and the width is 15 feet, it is open to all traffic and is in good condition.

Baumgardner’s Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek and has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The length of the structure is 120 feet and the width is 15 feet. The bridge is open to all traffic.

Kurt’s Mill Covered Bridge spans Mill Creek in Lancaster County Park. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County Covered Bridges,on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in red with white trim. The bridge is accessible to road traffic from within the park.

That’s it folks. Seventeen covered bridges in one day. A lot of driving, but I am glad I had the chance to see them. The next day day I was off to Gettysburg as my road trip continued. Stay tuned…….