Originally published on the Susquehanna Greenway website here
The Susquehanna River is a piece of living history, connecting communities to the natural landscape throughout Pennsylvania. Bridges make up one building block in this network of connections, and many of them used to be covered. Of the 14,000 covered bridges constructed across the United States, 1,500 were built in the State of Pennsylvania between 1820 and 1900. To celebrate the engineering and history of these architectural treasures, let’s explore a few of our favorites along the Susquehanna River’s West Branch.
The Jay Street Bridge, commissioned in 1852 by the Lock Haven Bridge Company, was constructed by the E. Kirkbride Company and connected Lock Haven to Lockport across the Susquehanna River. The original Burr truss bridge was 800 feet long and had a roofed pedestrian walkway that doubled as a canal towpath. A Toll House was added on the Lock Haven side. It had an archway in the center for carriages to pass through. Tolls were 5 cents for pedestrians, 10 cents for horse-drawn wagons, and free for children on school days.
Image: The Jay Street Bridge in Lock Haven. Historical photo courtesy of Valley Girl Views.
On January 27, 1919, at 1:00 am, the bridge was lost to an unexplained fire. Kerosene was used as an accelerant, so by the time fire crews could respond, they could only hope to keep the fire from spreading. Rumors spread that the arsonist was a woman who set the bridge ablaze to prevent her unfaithful husband from returning home. These rumors were never substantiated, and the fire still remains a mystery.
The covered bridge was replaced by an iron structure in 1922 and remained for 64 years. In 1986, Veterans’ Memorial Bridge was dedicated, replacing the iron bridge. It spans 822 feet long and 28 feet wide as a part of SR 664. The Veteran’s Memorial Bridge is still colloquially known as the Jay Street Bridge.
A stunning view of the bridge and Lock Haven skyline can be seen from the Woodward Township Access and Boat Ramp just across the river. Not only is this a fantastic vantage point of the city, but it’s a great location to launch a kayak and paddle right underneath this iconic bridge! Located just above a dam, the lake-like waters make for a great out-and-back paddle trip.
Image: The Veteran’s Memorial Bridge in Lock Haven. Photo courtesy of Philip Mapstone.
The McGees Mills Covered Bridge in Mahaffey, Pennsylvania is the only covered bridge on the West Branch that has lasted over 150 years. Built in 1873 by Thomas McGee, the 109-foot bridge features a Burr truss design and gabled roof, all made of white pine from the old-growth forests of western PA.
Image: The McGees Mills Covered Bridge. Photo courtesy of Kyle Yates.
It is currently the only remaining covered bridge that crosses the Susquehanna River.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, the McGees Mills Covered Bridge is one of 750 that are still standing across the United States.
Today, visitors to the area can enjoy picnicking on the banks of the river near the bridge. Paddlers traversing the West Branch Water Trail between Cherry Tree and Bells Landing can pass underneath the bridge for a first-hand look.
It is known as a coveted local fishing spot, and its quaint, historical charm has made it a popular subject for photographers. It is one covered bridge that has stood the test of time!
Image: Passing under the McGees Mills Covered Bridge. Photo courtesy of Mark Heller.
The covered bridges and the modern spans that have replaced them are a testament to the history of connectedness along the Susquehanna Greenway. It is the goal of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership to continue to facilitate connections across the land trails, water trails, parks, and communities along the Susquehanna River. Where will the next bridge take you?
The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River within Pennsylvania. The mission of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway by building connections along the Susquehanna River, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors, and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore. Visit susquehannagreenway.org to learn more.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.