Pennsylvania is home to over 200 covered bridges, but few can match the beauty and quality of the two historic covered bridges in Lawrence County, PA. In fact, if you are looking for covered bridges in western PA north of Pittsburgh, these two bridges are the ones to visit (though there is also one in Mercer County and two in Erie County).
Take some time to read about these two bridges below, and then make plans to visit them and this beautiful area of Pennsylvania.
McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge
McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge is one of my favorite covered bridges in PA. Located in the heart of McConnells Mill State Park, this bridge crosses Slippery Rock Creek just downstream of a dam and McConnell’s Mill, a grist mill that dates to the 1860s. The mill and the area around it were a filming location for “The Pale Blue Eye” starring Christian Bale.
The historic covered bridge here was built in 1874 and is 96 feet long. It utilizes a Howe truss design in its construction, which is only used by three other still-standing covered bridges in Pennsylvania.
The setting of this bridge near the mill and dam and inside one of the most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania, make this one of PA’s must-visit covered bridges.
Getting There: McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge is located in the middle of McConnells Mill State Park. There is a small parking lot next to the bridge, though on busy days, you may have to park further away and walk. The bridge can be found at the following coordinates: 40.952935, -80.170332.
While visiting the bridge, take some time to check out this beautiful state park. While it’s a bit of a drive from the bridge, I recommend Hell’s Hollow Falls, Breakneck Falls, and Alpha Falls.
Bank’s Covered Bridge
Bank’s Covered Bridge is located northwest of McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge near New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Bank’s Covered Bridge is 121 feet long and crosses Neshannock Creek in a very scenic rural part of Lawrence County.
This historic bridge was built in 1889 and uses a Burr arch truss like most of the covered bridges in Pennsylvania. Unlike many Pennsylvania bridges, Bank’s Covered Bridge is painted completely white, both inside and out. This makes for a uniquely beautiful bridge.
Getting There: Bank’s Covered Bridge is located in northern Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. It can be found at the following coordinates: 41.091651, -80.287406.
There is plenty of parking on both sides of the bridge along the side of both Covered Bridge Road and Gerber Road.
If you’re still looking for things to do in the area, take a ride over to Kidd’s Mill Covered Bridge in Mercer County. You could also spend some time at Cobblehaus at the Falls, head over to the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum, or Big Run Falls in Cascade Park.
[Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]
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Hi Jim,
This area has been a favorite of our family for over 59 years. If you take the foot path down stream from the mill you will find the ruins of an earlier mill. It is mysterious in that no one knows any history about it. Near that spot is the remains of a road
that had come down over the hill to that site. Also at Springfield Falls there are ruins of an interesting iron forge that had run
with water power. There is a museum near by.
Take Care,
Rick
Jim – thank you very much for your article and pictures regarding the two covered bridges in Lawrence County. Both of these bridge are owned and maintained by Lawrence County (notwithstanding the fact that the McConnells Mill Bridge is located within a state park). We take a great deal of pride in these structures and welcome visitors to our great county!
Sincerely, Dan Vogler Chairman, Lawrence County Commissioners
Jim-Thank you for the info and pictures. My sister and I have a trip planned for the end of March. We are visiting covered bridges, mills and waterfalls in Somerset, Bedford and Lawrence Counties. The information I have found on line has been so helpful! We appreciate you!!
That’s great to hear!