Lancaster County’s covered bridges connect the past with the present

By Rich Christianson

August 1, 2023 | 11:38 am CDT

Kaufman's Distillery covered bridge in Manheim, Pa.

Kaufman's Distillery bridge is one of two historic surviving wooden covered bridges in Manheim, Pa.

MANHEIM, Pa. – If you are headed to Wood Pro Expo Lancaster this October, be sure to take some time to check out some of the 30 historical covered bridges that grace the area.

Only Parke County, Ind., has more surviving covered bridges in the nation than Lancaster, and that’s by a slim margin of one.

By the 1800's more than 100 sturdy arched truss bridges, critical for linking farmers to communities over waters, were built throughout Lancaster County. Most of the bridges were named for area farmers or mill owners at the time they were built.

Shearer's covered bridge in Manheim, Pa.

The wooden roofs that were added to protect travelers and the structures from the elements helped extend the life of the bridges for more than a century.

Two of the 30 remaining bridges are in Manheim, home of Spooky Nook Sports where Wood Pro Expo Lancaster will be held.

Shearer’s covered bridge spans the Big Chiques Creek at 504 E Adele Ave. The 89-foot-long bridge features a double burr arch truss design. Originally built in 1847, it was rebuilt in 1855 and moved in 1971. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on Dec. 10, 1980.

The other historic covered bridge in Manheim, Kaufman’s Distillery covered bridge, also spans Chiques Creek located at 661 W. Sun Hill Road. Although construction started in 1857, the 96-foot bridge did not open until 1874. It was added to the NRHP on Dec. 11, 1980.

American history buffs will find three centuries of records at the historic Lancaster County Court House about a 20-minute drive from Manheim. Originally constructed 1852 and 1855, the Romanesque-design courthouse was added onto in the 1890's and 1920's. Placed on the NRHP in 1978 the courthouse archives and preserves more than 275 years of local history.

2023 Wood Pro Expo Lancaster Registration

About Wood Pro Expo
Wood Pro Expo is a regional event for woodworking businesses that brings together suppliers and experts for a localized presentation of equipment and supply solutions. WPE includes a strong educational program on best practices for shop production and business management. The expo features a wide variety of equipment and supplies mainly geared to small and medium-sized shops.

Wood Pro Expo Lancaster takes place Oct. 12-13, 2023 at Spooky Nook Sports/Warehouse at the Nook in Manheim (Lancaster County), Pa. For information visit woodproexpolancaster.com. For exhibitor information contact Lewis Goldman at [email protected] or 800-969-2212.

More upcoming Woodworking Network events
Executive Briefing Conference, Sept. 26-28, 2023, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Wood Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 2-4, 2023, International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario.

Closets Conference & Expo / Wood Pro Expo Illinois, April 17-19, 2024, Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, Ill.

Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO Expo), Oct. 24-26, 2024, Centrexpo Cogeco, Drummondville, Quebec.

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About the author

Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.