Jud Christian Covered Bridge - Covered Bridges in PA

Jud Christian Covered Bridge

Covered bridges symbolize small-town America. Picturesque and sentimental, “kissing bridges” recall a time when life was simpler and closer to the land.  Covered bridges complement autumn leaves and autumn emotions. Photogenic and often remote from the Interstate Highways and cities of the twentieth century, covered bridges lure the explorer to find the little streams and dirt roads that the twentieth century has almost passed by.

Columbia County, PA and Montour County, PA are known for their rural beauty and outstanding quality of life. The Counties are home to the towns of Danville, PA; Bloomsburg, PA; Berwick, PA; and Benton, PA – not to mention twenty-five covered bridges in PA.   This is the third largest concentration of covered bridges in Pennsylvania. On a yearly basis, visitors from all over the world come and admire the antiqued craftsmanship used to construct these spans. No two covered bridges are alike and each one has its own history, personality, and story to tell.

Twin Covered Bridges in Columbia County, PA

Twin Covered Bridges - East and West Paden Covered Bridges

Twin Covered Bridges – East and West Paden Covered Bridges

Of all the covered bridges in the country, Columbia County, PA is home to one of the only two remaining twin covered bridges in the country, located in Forks, PA. The twin covered bridges, also known as the East and West Paden Bridges, are Columbia County’s prized covered bridges.

The East and West Paden covered bridges in PA were built in 1850 by W.C. Pennington.   Both of these magnificent marvels are the Burr-Arch design, a very popular design used on numerous covered bridges in PA. The twin bridges were named for a local sawmill operator named John Paden. The two bridges cross over the Huntington creek. The smaller East Paden bridge, measures only 79 feet long, while the larger West Paden bridge measures 103 feet long. Both bridges were built for merely $720.00. The twin covered bridges in PA were used for transportation purposes for a little over a century.

In 1962, Columbia County began preservation efforts after the bridges began to weather away. By 1963, the twin covered bridges  were left open only for foot traffic.   The original bridges were restored and left intact until 45 years later when in 2006 a torrential flood washed away the original West Paden covered bridge.  In 2008 the West Paden bridge was rebuilt using parts of the original bridge and re-opened. The twin covered bridges and the park that surrounds them are a welcome respite for any weary traveler.

Covered Bridge Brochure - Driving Map

Driving Map of Columbia & Montour County Covered Bridges

We have compiled a comprehensive brochure of our 25 covered bridges that includes a driving map and turn by turn directions.  The brochure will take you on a historical and educational journey through our beloved covered bridges built on hard work, craftsmanship, and determination.

Read the articles below that have been written on some of the covered bridges in Columbia and Montour Counties:

 

Annual Covered Bridge and Arts Festival – Celebrating Our Beloved Covered Bridges

Covered Bridge FestivalJoin us each October for our Annual Covered Bridge and Arts Festival. Produced and coordinated by the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, the 32nd Annual Covered Bridge and Arts Festival is being held on October 3-6, 2013 at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Visitors can browse through nearly 350 crafters and enjoy food from over 35 different vendors.  Join us at the Annual Covered Bridge and Arts Festival for free entertainment, a car show, fun auction, rides, and much more, there is something for everyone. During the festival, we also offer bus tours of some area covered bridges.

Click here to read More about the history of the Covered Bridge and Arts Festival.

For more detailed festival information, please visit their webpage.

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